England U20 Men 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 for Ireland.
Ireland's attack began strong visiting England’s 22 in the first minute, but England were the first to score 13 minutes later with Coen added a penalty to the scoreboard. Soon after Junior Kpoku got a red card for a high tackle, but England held their own leaving Ireland unable to capitalise on the numerical advantage.
Ten minutes later England were down to 13 players after a yellow card was handed to Tom Burrows 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 racked up England to a six-point lead.
Only 60 seconds until half time Ireland were within metres of their try line, but the dominance of England’s defence left the home side tryless and the score remaining 3-9.
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 corner 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 Wisniewski 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 the rolling maul, with the referee 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 his break but was brought down just shy of the white line. The home side continued their quick attack, coming in the England 22 on numerous occasions.
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 at 3-19.
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