England U20 beat Ireland U20 in Six Nations opener
England U20 Men seal a 3-19 win over Ireland U20 in Cork to get their 2025 U20 Six Nations Championship off to a winning start.
A penalty try and 12 points from Ben Coen's boot secured the victory for Mark Mapletoft's side, while Ireland's Sam Wisniewski kicked a penalty.
Ireland's attack began strong visiting England’s 22 in the first minute, but England were the first to score on the 13 minute mark as Coen added a penalty to the scoreboard. Junior Kpoku was shown a red card for a high tackle moments later, but England held their own leaving Ireland unable to capitalise on the numerical advantage.
With 26 minutes gone in the Test, England were down to 13 players after a yellow card was handed to Tom Burrow for interfering with the ruck. A penalty from Coen and Ireland’s Wisniewski kept the score a penalty apart, but not for long as Coen’s third got England to a six-point lead.
With just seconds until half time Ireland found themselves within metres of the try line, but the dominance of England’s defence left the home side without, and the score remained 3-9 at the break.
The second half started with the same pace, as both sides remained relentless in their attack, but England were the first to come close to the try line before a knock on allowed Ireland to clear.
The tables turned quickly as a smart kick from Wisniewski brought Ireland into England’s 22, and the home side soon had the chance to close the gap, but a wide penalty kick from the fly-half left the score untouched.
Almost halfway into the second half, a clean catch and clinical kick from Charlie Griffin catapulted England to their attacking try line, but their efforts fell short as Ireland’s powerful defence pushed England back to the half way line.
A try did not come until minute 68 when Oisin Minogue received a yellow card for collapsing a rolling maul, with referee Jeremy Rozier giving a penalty try to the away side for a 13-point lead.
With less than 10 minutes to go Ireland’s Michael Foy made a break but was brought down just shy of the line. The home side continued their quick attack, coming in the England 22 on numerous occasions.
With less than two minutes to go England extended their lead to 16 points with another penalty from Coen, and with a try saving tackle from England's Kane James, the game finished 3-19.
Reaction
Tom Burrow: "It’s an honour to play for this country and to captain, it’s pretty special away from home and I’m relieved more than anything.
“Respect to Ireland, they brought the fire throughout, they tested us and it’s what we needed. But it showed our fight and the commitment, I think the brotherhood came through strong and I’m really pleased.”
Match Highlights
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