The final may not have gone the way Ireland wanted it to, after a ferocious performance from the brutish English pack. But that doesn't mean there wasn't some stellar Irish performances throughout the tournament.
Three standout players make our team of the tournament, and there are some other names here to watch out for in the future - both for Ireland and for the rest of the world. You heard them here first.
1. Andrew Porter (Ireland)
The Cian Healy clone had a monstrous tournament. He dominated when he carried the ball, he dominated at the scrum, and he was a force at the breakdown. The final didn't go his way - but I'm blaming that on the English screwing in and pushing across at Betts - which the referee completely missed time and again.
Narrowly beats out England's Lewis Boyce who had a big final.
2. Jack Singleton (England)
It wasn't a wonderful tournament for hookers, but Singleton was the clear best on show. His all around work was wonderful to watch - stopping attackers dead in their tracks and going on barreling runs. His throwing was poor in the lineout, but there really was no other contender.
3. Lasha Tabidze (Georgia)
Georgia may have finished tenth in the tournament - but their scrum was the best by a distance. Tabidze, who plays his rugby for Bordeaux in France was a monster. He dispatched the New Zealand, Welsh, Irish, and French scrums with absolute ease. We thought Ben Betts was good, Tabidze was better. Mention too to England's Will Stuart who was the only tighthead who could handle Porter.
4. Huw Taylor (England)
Taylor had an outstanding final, and seemed to be the best lock Ireland played. He showed intelligence and skills to follow up for his try in the final, and was part of a dominant English pack.
5. James Ryan (Ireland)
If anything, Ryan was both outstanding and underwhelming in this tournament. Such was the standard he had set for himself in the Six Nations when he carried the underperforming Ireland team on his back - Ryan was outshone by Porter and Deegan. In fact, his best display came in the final when Ireland were already beaten. Ryan is a warrior who refuses to lie down.
He is going to be an epic player, and will fill Paul O'Connell's boots in the Irish team in more ways than one. I'm not convinced that he's got every aspect of being a captain - he certainly leads from the front - but there were moments in the losing final where his decision making and approach with the referee left a lot to be desired. Fortunately, Ireland will be stocked with leaders in the coming years with the likes of Ross Molony, Dan Leavy, Luke McGrath, Peter O'Mahony, Jack McGrath, and Jack O'Donoghue are around.
6. George Nott (England)
I almost had Greg Jones from Ireland here, but Nott's showing in the final swung it for me. On Jones, he was the Irish player who pleasantly surprised me the most. I wasn't expecting much from the flanker - and he ended up being one of Ireland's best players. Nott was everywhere in the final though- hammering ball carriers in a brutal English submission.
7. Will Evans (England)
By a distance the best breakdown forward in the tournament. England don't usually like natural 7s like this. It will be scary if they decide Evans is for them.
8. Max Deegan (Ireland)
He deserved his nomination for the player of the tournament. He was absolutely beastly. Was he the best player at the tournament though? Probably not, definitely the second. There's a big future ahead for the former St. Michael's alum. There was shades of Jamie Heaslip in 2009 for Deegan's tournament.
9. Max Green (England)
Expertly marshalled the bulking English pack with ease, sniping and spotting gaps - before allowing Mallinder, Williams, and Marchant to wreak havoc. Played his support lines brilliantly. A mention for South Africa's Embrose Papier.
10. Harry Mallinder (England)
Mallinder would have been my vote for the player of the tournament. The outhalf/centre looked a class apart all tournament, and was the best of a strong bunch of outhalves including Scotland's Adam Hastings, New Zealand's Jordie Barrett, Australia's Mack Mason, and Ireland's Bill Johnston all impressing. Mallinder's game management and Premiership experience was vital though, and he guided England expertly to the title.
11. Keelan Giles (Wales)
I know it was a short tournament, but Giles was magnificent. He did so well he earned a call up to the full Welsh national side. That's how good it was. He was even better than Player of the tournament nominee Shaun Stevenson in my eyes.
12. Jordie Barrett (New Zealand)
I mentioned Barrett under the outhalves, but his best play came at 12. He was almost a one man team on a poor New Zealand side that slumped to fifth place. He's got a future.
Mention for England's Johnny Williams whose Premiership experience shone through.
13. Joe Marchant (England)
His dancing feet were on show all month. He looked like a bigger version of Jonathan Joseph with his elusive feet getting past defenders. The Harlequins centre will be one to watch for the future.
14. Ataata Moeakiola (Japan)
It's rare that someone from the team that comes last gets a nomination for player of the tournament. But that's how much of a revelation that Moeakiola was. The new Japanese Jonah Lomu was a powerhouse, ending the tournament with the most amount of tries - six in five games.
See Also: Watch: Japan U20's Have Unearthed Their Own Jonah Lomu
15. Curwyn Bosch (South Africa)
Bosch was the standout South African. A massive boot, comfortable at 10 and 15 - his pace and power was the only thing that troubled England in the one-sided semi-final. Bosch was the only reason why the baby Boks were there in the first place. He was the final nominee for the player of the tournament.
I wanted to put Jacob Stockdale here after a fine tournament, but that would be a big homer call.
