The Ireland U20s are through to their second ever World Rugby U20 Championship final, after defeating South Africa U20s earlier today.
It was Ireland's best performance of the tournament so far, showing brilliant strength, not just in fighting off the dogged Junior Springboks, but in how they handled themselves after the tragic deaths Greig Oliver, Andrew O'Donnell, and Max Wall.
The 31-12 victory will see them face off against France next Friday, after they demolished England 52-31 in the other semi.
Ireland head coach Richie Murphy spoke after the game, and praised his side's resolve after being put under serious pressure in the first-half by an improved Junior Springboks side.
I thought South Africa came out strong and threw a lot of stuff at us but our boys showed great character to stay in the fight.
I thought system-wise we actually did quite well and were obviously delighted to get out of that onslaught of pressure and soak it all up, and then actually go into half-time seven points up, which I thought was a massive turning point in the game.
We just talked at half-time about coming in seven points up, you know, that we were in a good place considering we hadn't really fired as many shots as we would have liked.
That was due to South Africa being very good, you know, their set piece was functioning well in the first half and that was getting them on the front foot.
Brian Gleeson Scores A Cracker For The Ireland U20s
WHAT. A. TRY 🍀
Pure, unadulterated power from the beast that is Brian Gleeson 🔥
Ireland 14 - 7 South Africa@PwCIreland #futureisgreenpic.twitter.com/pZ7ulP3nvr
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 9, 2023
READ HERE: 5 Players From The 2008 Ireland U20s With Different Journeys In Life
In the pack, Brian Gleeson and Paddy McCarthy stood out with their physical play, but out-half Sam Prendergast was the pick of the backs, producing his best performance of the tournament so far, and chipping in with two cross-field kick assists for James Nicholson, and a clutch first-half conversion.
"I thought Sam came into his own, especially in the second half," said Murphy.
"He started getting his head up and moving the ball to space really well.
"I thought from a team point of view, the first half was about grit and determination and the second half we probably showed a little bit more what we could do as a rugby team and scored some really good tries.
"We're in a good place as a team, we'll see what the knocks are like over the next 24 hours. You don't have much time to change in these competitions because they're only five-day turnarounds. Most of that time is spent resting, very little time in training.
"So, look, we'll go out and have a look at France and England, and whoever it'll be in the final, we know it's going to be a really tough game."
SEE ALSO: Brian Gleeson Scores Beaut To Help Ireland U20s To World Championship Final
