Ireland under-20s defeat England to secure back-to-back Grand Slams

Ireland’s Under-20s withstood a late comeback from 14-man England in Cork to secure a second Six Nations Grand Slam in a row and make it a St Patrick’s weekend to remember for Irish Rugby, following on from the men’s senior clean sweep claimed the night before.

As reported by the Irish Examiner, Richie Murphy’s side had looked on course for a sweeping victory as two tries apiece wing Hugh Gavin and man of the match Brian Gleeson, the No.8 and another from prop George Hadden opened up a 31-10 lead with three conversions from Sam Prendergast.

England’s discipline had imploded under the pressure early in the second half with wing Tobias Elliott yellow-carded and fly-half Monty Bradbury sent off but to their credit the visitor's rallied with two tries in the final 10 minutes to provide an anxious endgame for the home side. The nerves quickly dissipated, however when scrum-half Fintan Gunne added Ireland’s sixth try two minutes from time to secure back-to-back titles and add another Grand Slam to the one achieved 24 hours earlier by Johnny Sexton’s team.

Ireland got off to a dream start, their intensity evident from Sam Prendergast’s kick-off, a strong chase exerting immediate pressure in the English backfield and ekeing an attacking lineout on the opposition 22 from a poor clearance.

The resulting set play saw Ireland work the English defence hard through multiple phases and with a penalty advantage earned they sucked more defenders towards the posts before half-backs Fintan Gunne and Prendergast pulled the trigger, moving the ball wide to the left wing where Hugh Gavin was unmarked to score the opening try after three minutes.

Prendergast missed the touchline conversion but Ireland threatened to quickly add another score