Prendergast the hero as Ireland U20 win thriller v France

Ireland U20 33-31 France U20

Ireland U20s maintained their perfect Musgrave Park record and their Grand Slam ambitions thanks to a late Sam Prendergast penalty to defeat a resurgent French side.

France scored five tries to Ireland's three but 18 points from the boot of Prendergast had the defending champions ahead at the final whistle.

Paddy McCarthy and Hugh Gavin's tries had Ireland 20-14 up at half-time but they struggled to contain France’s lineout maul in conceding three second-half tries, with one try from Brian Gleeson in response.

Ireland have never lost an U20 Six Nations match in Cork and that fact stood to them as a sold-out crowd cheered them to a victory that takes their Leeside winning streak to eight in a row.

France, reinforced by the arrival of five players from Top14 duty, made seven changes from their one-point win over Italy.

Full-time: Ireland 33-31 France Sam Prendergast's penalty wins it for Ireland!