Ireland U20s have lost 50-14 to France U20s in the final of the World Rugby U20 Championship this evening, at the Athlone Sports Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa.
While the Irish held their own in a competitive first-half against the all conquering French, they failed to fire a shot in the second 40 as their opponents ran riot.
Ireland Put In An Impressive First-Half
Ireland began the first-half the stronger of the two sides and worked their way into the French 22 with accurate phase play and a kick to the corner from a penalty, after turning down three points.
They applied continued pressure and were awarded another penalty, in front of the post, and the ever wily scrum-half, Fintan Gunne, chose to go himself and finished brilliantly through a group of French defenders, giving Ireland a 7-0 lead after 5 minutes.
From then on, however, France seemed to go up a gear every ten minutes, and were back level with a converted try through Mathis Ferté, but Ireland will have been disappointed after losing their own line-out and letting France through easily on the edge.
France added another three points, before John Devine hit back for Ireland, although it was questionable whether he had actually grounded the ball.
Ireland continued to be the makers of a lot of their own misfortune with Ruadhan Quinn dropping the kick-off after Devines's try, and France scoring again a few phases later through Lino Julien.
France continued to pile on the pressure and went over just before half-time, but it was disallowed after the TMO deemed their tap-and-go move to be illegal.
First-Half Highlights
Here's that score from Gunne 🔥pic.twitter.com/F1xT4boGS2
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 14, 2023
𝐉𝐎𝐇𝐍 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐄! 🟢
That's a huge try from the Ireland centre who has been brilliant in this tournament!
Prendergast with a great kick to add the two!
☘️ 14-7 🇫🇷 #WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/zz7WU0VLq5
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) July 14, 2023
READ HERE: The Fascinating Journeys Of Ireland's 2012 U20s Rugby Team
The second-half brought no joy for the Irish, as France picked up where they left off in the first 40.
They got two early scores, and after 46 minutes they had managed to rack up a 31-14 lead, with Pierre Jouvin and Nicolas Depoortere going over.
Ireland worked hard to get back into game, but there was no let up from France as they utterly dominated Ireland at the ruck and won countless Irish line-outs.
As Ireland grew more tired, and their play got more loose, the score quickly became a rout after a classy finish from Mathis Ferte following some slick passing, and breakaway tries from Lenni Nouchi and Leo Drouet.
Ireland did not play near their best in the game, and were not at their best throughout the tournament, but nothing should be taken away from France who were magnificent tonight and over the last few weeks.
France Wreak Havoc In A Magnificent Second-Half Performance
𝐒𝐈𝐗𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐑𝐘 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐅𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄! 🔵
Lenni Nouchi finishes a sharp breakaway from inside his own 22.
☘️ 14-43 🇫🇷 #WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/gWX82MgRoK
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) July 14, 2023
𝐅𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐓 𝟓𝟎. 🔵
They are absolutely ruthless.
☘️ 14-50 🇫🇷 #WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/MFGaHttb0Q
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) July 14, 2023
SEE ALSO: The Ireland U20s Giant Who Traded A Hurley And Tipp Colours For An Oval Ball And A Green Jersey
