Ireland U20s will have 'free rein' to attack against England

Ireland U20 assistant Mark Sexton says they won't be advising their players to start playing it safe in the final legs of this year's Six Nations.

With two games to play, Ireland's fate is in their own hands; win against both England and Scotland and the title and Grand Slam is theirs, a second Six Nations championship in the last three seasons.

The Wolfpuppies have been highly impressive in their opening three games; hammering both Wales and Italy at Musgrave Park, either side of a first away win against France in 10 years.

But while England slipped to a shock defeat to Italy in Round 2, they have eased past both Scotland and Wales, and a win against Ireland would put them right back in the hunt to retain their championship.

"I think at any level England away is an unbelievable challenge. You look at the U20s side, beating Scotland and Wales comprehensively at home, it's going to be a huge challenge," said Sexton, the U20's backs and skills coach.

"You could say it about a lot of teams, but if they get on the front foot they're going to cause you trouble, but especially England.

"Their two wingers are incredibly big and fast, as is their 15 (Harry Arundell) who has been playing a bit for London Irish, he’s one of their standout players. If you stand up to them, like any other match, you win the gainline, you slow down the ruck ball and it becomes an even contest.

"If your discipline is good, it’s another way of stopping their entry to your territory. Picking and choosing what breakdown to go after, being disciplined and legal in the way you go after it as well is absolutely important, and if you're going in and not winning the ball you have to make it your job to slow it down."

A younger brother of Ireland men's captain Johnny