Ireland U20s have secured a 34-34 draw against England U20s in their opening game of the World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa.
After Ireland held the lead at the end of the first half, thanks to tries from Sam Prendergast, George Hadden, and James McNabney, England came out hot in the second 40.
They managed to take a two score lead before Ireland hit back with a fantastic try from Ruadhan Quinn, who got on the end of a pin point cross-field kick from scrum-half Fintan Gunne.
Ireland then continued their purple patch with two scores in quick succession from Henry McErlean and Hugh Cooney giving them a 34-24 lead coming into the final stages of the match.
However, they would have been disappointed not to have been further ahead, with the usually reliable Sam Prendergast missing his first four conversions.
Ireland U20s In The Midst Of Almighty Battle With England U20s
𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐃! 🟥
Hugh Cooney sent off for a high challenge causing a nasty clash of heads.#ENGvIRE | #WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/3AQQALoyzE— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) June 24, 2023
Pure class from Fintan Gunne and Ruadhan Quinn 🔥
Ireland still trail 24-20 as Prendergast misses his fourth conversion 😬@PwCIreland #FutureIsGreenpic.twitter.com/Ij1vTaZseB— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) June 24, 2023
𝐇𝐔𝐆𝐇 𝐂𝐎𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐘!
That is magic! A brilliantly worked try from Ireland! Some of those offloads! 😍
🏴 24-34 ☘️#ENGvIRE | #WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/T15l2mU5NJ— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) June 24, 2023
𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐈𝐍 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐓! 🟢
Lovely hands off a powerful Irish maul and Henry McErlean applies the finish!
🏴 24-27 ☘️#ENGvIRE | #WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/uX5oO35WG2— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) June 24, 2023
Here's that try from Sammy P, and he had a few words for England's no.8 Chandler Cunningham-South after touching down 😅
George Hadden has since added another for Ireland
The sides are level at 10-10@PwCIreland #FutureIsGreenpic.twitter.com/LqlxK5hDWp— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) June 24, 2023
READ HERE: The 2013 Ireland U20s - Where Are They now?
England hit back themselves with a penalty kick and a try, before Hugh Cooney was sent-off for a head contact tackle on Jacob Cusick.
While Cooney came off the worst in the challenge, it was the correct decision from the referee, although England were fortunate not to have further cards themselves for similar hits.
The game became very scrappy in the closing stages with both sides making a host of unforced errors.
England attacked deep into Ireland's 22 beyond the 80 minutes, but Ireland managed to regain possession and clear their lines.
Ireland take on Australia this Thursday (kick-off, 10.00am) in a must win game.
SEE ALSO: Balls.ie's Greatest Ireland U20s XV Of All-Time
