Some of the chief aims for Ireland U20s in the recent Six Nations Summer Series tournament were to give players a taste of competitive international rugby and to unearth and cultivate young talent.
In this regard the tournament was a success, despite what may seem like an average showing with two wins and two losses, given the high expectations of the 2022 U20s Six Nations Grand Slam Champions.
Instead of the usual U20s World Championship, we were gifted the Summer Series. What began as an injury ravaged and error strewn tournament for Ireland, losing their first two games to France and South Africa, finished with a spectacular win over England and a dominant victory over the Scots.
Recap
Ireland vs France:
Ireland came into this game with a depleted squad, and names such as Patrick Campbell, Jack Boyle, James Culhane, and Charlie Tector were notable absentees. Richie Murphy was duly forced to bring in u19 players to make up the numbers.
From an Irish perspective the game was not particularly memorable, but for the neutral it will be fondly remembered for the magnificent French flair on show.
The game finished 42-21 to France, as Ireland unable to cope with the fluid attacking brilliance of Émilien Gailleton, Nicolas Depoortere, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, and Leo Barre.
Ireland vs South Africa:
The first-half of this contest was a battle of who of could play less poorly. Such was the error count of the Irish side that head coach Richie Muprhy felt his side were 'embarrassed' by the performance.
Thankfully, Ireland rallied and stemmed the bleeding to finish the game nine points behind the eventual tournament winners, with a final score of 33-26.
We also caught the first glimpses of Sam Prendergast's touch with the boot after his delicate grubber assist to winger Dylan O'Grady.
Gorgeous grubber alert 🚨
Dylan O'Grady gets @IrishRugby back in the game...
Watch #U20SummerSeries live ➡️ https://t.co/put5TY6GbE pic.twitter.com/nR6iHYziy4— Six Nations Under-20s (@SixNationsU20) June 29, 2022
Ireland vs England:
A 73 point thriller and the game of the Summer. Defence was perhaps optional at times, but no one would mind given the attacking brilliance and excitement served up.
Five minutes into the match and England had a 14-0 lead. Nine minutes later and Ireland were level. After 23 minutes Ireland would take the lead after being awarded a penalty try that was set up by a delicious floating pass from Prendergast to O'Grady.
Ireland would not relinquish their lead until the 60th minute when England winger Iwan Stephens finished acrobatically in the right hand corner after latching onto a superb skip pass from outhalf Fin Smith. Smith would set up England once again with a pin point crossfield to send fullback George Hendy over for a try, giving them 36-34 lead with just 10 minutes remaining.
England held on until the 78th minute when Ireland were awarded penalty 50 metres out. Up stepped Prendergast to split the posts, and Ireland held on for a 37-36 win.
Ireland vs Scotland:
Ireland gradually built momentum throughout the tournament and reached their zenith in a 41-24 defeat of Scotland.
A remarkable four tries in the opening 16 minutes, courtesy of Daniel Hawkshaw, Scott Wilson, Aitzol King, and Prendergast, gave Ireland a 24-0 lead.
Scotland hit back with a try of their own, only to concede straight from kick-off after Fionn Gibbons gathered Prendergast's restart and willed his way through the Scottish defence for a try.
It was highlight reel show for Prendergast who displayed a silky running game and an array of attacking kicks, reminiscent of JJ Hanrahan's showing at the U20s World Championship in 2012.
Sam Prendergast has had some tournament for the Irish U20s this Summer.
Love the combination of deception, strength and speed he shows here to beat so many defenders.#IrishRugby #U20SummerSeries pic.twitter.com/wikW226Z7A— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) July 12, 2022
Player of the Tournament
Shout out to Aitzol King, who was lethal in any type of space with ball in hand, while Lorcan McLoughlin and captain Reuben Crothers in the backrow ensured that Ireland were never found wanting for gain line advantage.
It is Prendergast who must take the award however. His clutch kick against England and maverick display against Scotland were too good to go unrewarded.
This is a beautifully weighted pass from Sam Prendergast to Shay McCarthy leading to a try for the Irish 20s pic.twitter.com/0tSM3aC7MI
— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) July 5, 2022
Try of the Tournament
Fionn Gibbons vs Scotland:
Given the individual skill involved, the kick of Prendergast and powerfully balanced running of Gibbons, and the time at which it was scored (just after Scotland got their first try), this was a worthy winner.
Great vision by Prendergast and try by Gibbons #U20SummerSeries pic.twitter.com/DCRr5Qjji9
— Brett Igoe (@brettruganalyst) July 12, 2022
High and Low Moments:
The high moment of the tournament was undoubtedly Prendergast's winning penalty in their all-time U20s classic against England.
The low moment was half-time after a dreadfully poor first 40 against South Africa.
SEE ALSO: 6 Standout Ireland U20s Players At The Six Nations Summer Series
