Connor Slevin kicked his side into a 3-0 lead in the third minute, however Richie Murphy's Grand Slam winners were soon on the ascendency, scoring the first try of the game in the 11th minute through Prendergast. 

A barrage of carries on England's whitewash created space out wide for the fly-half to sneak through the tightest of gaps and touch down to put his side 5-3 ahead.  

It was then England's turn to direct their big ball carriers towards the try line, this time Ireland were able to win a penalty at the breakdown and maintain their slender two point advantage. 

That almost proved costly moments later as Ireland were back on the front foot. After some quick hands from Prendergast and No.8 McNabney, Andrew Osborne thought he had scored Ireland's second, only for the replay to show the winger was in touch.

However, the 2023 Under-20 Six Nations Grand Slam winners did take a seven-point lead when the industrious Mangan carried over the whitewash from five metres out. 

Just as the game seemed to be slipping through England's fingers, Opoku-Fordjour created something out of nothing. He barged through the sizeable frame of Mangan before putting McErlean on his back to touch down under the posts to help level the scores at 10-10, the boot of Slevin making it honours even once more. 

England then enjoyed a long spell of possession inside Ireland's half, but a botched lineout allowed Gus McCarthy to steam through the England defensive line before offloading to Mangan. 

The flanker looked certain to score, but Finn Carnduff made a world-class steal at the breakdown inside his own 22 to regain possession and keep the scores level. However, Ireland were ahead at the break after McNabney used his remarkable strength to barge through the England defence from close range. 

England were a different side after the break, spending five minutes camped in Ireland's 22. 

A strong breeze was making it difficult for Ireland to clear their lines, and Joe Jenkins almost capitalised after carrying the ball over the try line, only for the referee to judge it had been held up. 

Mangan was shown a yellow card eight minutes into the second half after a cynical piece of play on his own try line as England continued to build momentum. 

Ireland were punished for repeated ill-discipline when the referee awarded England a penalty try just moments later to give them a narrow 17-15 lead.