Ireland U20s open World Cup campaign with epic England draw

The Ireland U20s have drawn with England at the under-20 World Cup.

The Ireland under-20s have kicked off their World Cup campaign with an epic 34-34 draw with England.

Richie Murphy’s side have big ambitions at this year’s tournament in South Africa and will be disappointed not to have come away with victory.

That said, there was plenty to enjoy about the Irish display as dominant forward play set the foundation for exciting attacks against a talented England team.

Ireland draw with England at U20 World Cup.

It was star man Sam Prendergast who opened the scoring for Ireland; his 13th minute try coming against the run of play to edge Ireland in front after an early England penalty.

And the second Irish try came soon later. Prop forward George Hadden burrowed over the whitewash in the 22nd minute to put Murphy’s men into a commanding position.

The rest of the contest was not so straightforward, however. England bit back through Asher Opoku-Fordjour to give themselves a chance, Ireland’s James McNabney responded before the break, but the English continued to press in the second forty.

England looked threatening with ball in hand all day and their full attacking potential was in evidence when substitute Jacob Cusick finished off a thrilling end-to-end counter-attack on 55 minutes.

Problematically for Ireland, England kicker Connor Slevin was accurate from the tee throughout, in sharp contrast to Prendergast who converted just 33% of his attempts.

That meant tries were required  – and tries Ireland got. Munster backrow Ruadhan Quinn barged over in the 56th minute, Harry McErlean touched down in the 61st minute and three minutes later Hugh Cooney got in on the act to put Ireland in the lead.

To his credit, Prendergast converted the latter two to help Ireland’s cause, but a penalty goal from his opposite number Slevin put England back within seven points with thirteen minutes to play.

Draw for Ireland U20s.

The killer blow came in the 70th minute when England substitute Cusick scored his second of the game and Slevin once again converted to level the scores at 34-34.

Any hopes of an Irish winner were virtually dashed when Hugh Cooney saw red in the 75th minute, forcing them to settle for three points on the table – two for a draw and one as a four-try bonus.

Next up for Ireland are Australia on Thursday, then the group concludes on Tuesday 4th of July with a fixture against Fiji.