England U 20 v Ireland U20 - Title Decider !

First topic message reminder :

As a Precursor to the main event the following day -


Venue Adams Park

KO. 2005 16th March 2012

Ireland travel to England knowing that if they avoid defeat at Adams Park on Friday they will be crowned RBS Under 20 Six Nations champions and secure a confidence boost ahead of the side’s meeting at the IRB Junior World Championship 2012 in June.
The Irish are the only side with a perfect record in the Six Nations going into the final weekend after England suffered their first Championship defeat under head coach Rob Hunter, 12-8 to France in Vannes on Sunday to end their hopes of back-to-back Grand Slams.

England, who edged Ireland 33-25 in the pool stages of JWC 2011, will successfully defend their Six Nations title if they bounce back from their French disappointment and beat Ireland as they have a far superior point difference, more than double that of their rivals.

Things had started well enough for England at the Stade de la Rabine with a third-minute penalty by Ryan Mills opening the scoring, but Tom Ecochard edged France ahead with two kicks of his own and the hosts were unlucky not to add to these with the Television Match Official twice ruling no try as the French piled on the pressure in the English 22.

France continued on the front foot after the restart but were unable to increase their 6-3 advantage and actually feel behind when England made the  breakthrough with 10 minutes remaining, David Sisi touching down on his Under 20 debut.

Mills missed the conversion and France hit back with two more penalties from the boot of scrum half Ecochard, holding on for victory to lie third in the standings, behind England point differential and looking at best for second place in the Championship.
“We’re absolutely gutted, there was a lot of emotion at the end of the game and we’re really disappointed about the loss. We play the game to win and ultimately we weren’t able to do that against a good, strong French side,” said England captain Chris Walker.

“They dominated the set piece and that cost us, but we’ve got a massive game against Ireland to look forward to – we’re disappointed, but this will make us stronger.”

The number 4 has guilt writ large there while he's doing up his boots.

Jammy feicer. Should have been sent off there.

He couldn't have known it was a weasel of a SH behind him, if it had been a real man it would have caught him in the chest.

Gob-shoites.

Fair play to the Irish lads they are still trying to pass it around.

Tom kite

roddersm wrote:Tom kite

Who's this Tom Kite? Barry White, or even Jimmy White are acceptable.

Jeebus christ the contact skill are rubbish! Get Ruddock away from our kids!

Jimmy White!

Big build up, but Spencer is on now, lets see what he can do.

Kick the 3!!

Good man Paddy! Come on lads!

I can smell blood!

roddersm wrote:Kick the 3!!

He heard you Rodders. If he missed that it would have been a right load of Travis Tritt.

What does that make score? Mustn't be long left!

Ulstermen always go for the 3 Jen..... apart from Bestie, hes a bit of a maverick....

15-9 maddog. 15 minutes left.

roddersm wrote:15-9 maddog. 15 minutes left.

Did England lose 5 points for wearing silly shirts?

How the Flip did they blow that? It was the championship pass.

wow thats low scoring for a u 20's game.

Watson over ran him.

Jeebus England butchered that!

Jasus they butchered that one.

20-9 .... same difference.....

Can't fault us for effort, but the England lads are noticeably more physical at this level.

Shoite!!!!!!

I've been pleased enough with what I've seen in the second half.

These lads have a lot of fight and have played with continuity and fluidity at times. They are trying to play a very ambitious brand of rugby and the England defence has been sensational so we are being forced into knock-ons.

England look in control of the game but this does suggest a number of these Irish lads could develop into really good players.

In another 3 years Notch, some of these feckers won't be able to run though.

England defence is on another level to ours in terms of organisation tbf.

The general style and approach of England has been decent (some great individual moments of attacking rugby), but this younger batch of players will need to be considerably more precise to make headway at the JWC.

No I don't see it that way Notch.

We've missed far too many tackles, especially around the fringes. Thats just soft defending.

Too many knock ons. Poor contact skills. Poor tactical kicking.

Yes physically we are up against it but we've been pretty poor in most areas. Thats not good enough that we can't do the basics at this level.

What did he do? I missed it, whatever it was.

Dan Robson man of the match? Hmmm, not sure about that like.

Cumbrian wrote:Dan Robson man of the match? Hmmm, not sure about that like.

He scored a try and made another break, + 2 quick taps. What more do you want from a Scrum half? Good passing?

I know it's just in my biased eyes but the ref's been a joke

Well done England.... hopefully thats the last time I'll have to say that this weekend.....

Without being facetious, I know what you mean and it feels rotten to carp at a guy who has made some obvious impacts but...

Another knock on. Rubbish.

If thats the best we can put out at this level then we'll be in trouble down the line.

These kids can't ruck to save their lives. Too much style and not enough substance.

HammerofThunor wrote:I know it's just in my biased eyes but the ref's been a joke

I know what you mean, we had such a dominant scrum but got little reward for it. Where did this 'use it' when one scrum is smashing another come from?

England U20s 19 just made a tw!t of himself

Good effort in the second half Ireland, shame we didn't start like that but in truth we are not as good as this England side at this level. I remain very optimistic that a number of Irelands players in this group will develop into very good pro players.

Congratulations England, enjoy your win.

roddersm wrote: Well done England.... hopefully thats the last time I'll have to say that this weekend.....

Cheers. Lots of mistakes from both sides but English defence was great. Hope we win by double that score tomorrow and Wales lose (although I'd be ecstatic with any win at all).

Well played Ireland.

Stayed big to the end despite a total lack of parity in the physicality stakes, had more control of the ball when they had it.

England were sloppy, lacked precision and execution when it mattered and wont win diddly at WC time unless they can tighten up there.

Was pleased with Heathcote though, Donald has a genuine contender if he ever gets fit enough to play again...

It was nice at the end, the forwards were so knackered they couldn't even make it to the rucks but we just kept going. A lot of pride in this Irish team. And a lot of potential.

---

Well played England. They just need to learn to translate this to the senior level and can have a very good future.

trebellbobaggins wrote:Well played England. They just need to learn to translate this to the senior level and can have a very good future,

How very tue but I hope we are starting now.

Very one-sided game, but fair play to Ireland for keeping at it.

England probably left about 30 points on the field. Their final pass wasn't quite there but the defence was awesome.

Seemed to be a heck of a lot of penalties conceded. Given that their scrum was so dominant it seemed odd that England pushed early so often

Is there a special law for this level of rugby where the ref stops the game for injuries? I thought it was just for bad/head injuries where play was held up.

England's defence was very good against Wales. It was very well organised and drilled so that there would be at least two player to tackle every ball carrier then others were quick to get there and compete or defend around the fringes.

You are being too harsh rodders. yes there were mistakes and there can be no excuses for the try at the start but they knock on in contact because they are physically dominated. These young England players are superbly coached at this level and there fitness work is 2nd to none.

There is a reason they frequently contest the JWC against New Zealand. In a few years time some of the irish lads should have caught up in the physicality stakes and things even themselves out. That being said a big well done to england. Should have been much, much more comprehensive but on another day those stick and credit to ireland for their tencity aswell.

Congrats to England they deserved the win and got it. Looking at Watson Walker and Yarde they have three clones of Armitage, Strettle and Varndell - all with searing pace.

Robson has more than a hint of Austin Healy about him too, but it was the English pack that totally dominated the game (as expected).

Ireland can take a lot out of that game though and this championship. They were the first Ireland U20 side to ever beat France away and that is a major achievement. I was again impressed by McCall in the scrum. Despite being massively underpowered behind him and totally mulched in the first half he had learned enough to hold his own in the second half - good signs. Similarly Jackson and McGrath changed their game on the hoof when the original plan wasn't working.

Paddy has undoubtedly a lot to learn but he put in a very mature performance and was Ireland's best player. Ruddock was wrong to sub him in the context of the game but then again it wouldn't have mattered anyway - I still hope he doesn't go to the JWC though.

I would like to say well done to England for a great win. They do have some awsome talent in that England team.

Ireland in the first 20 minutes looked a bit star struck( rabbit in headlghts) was not expecting them (England) to start like they did.

The England pack was so dominate could not understand why they was being penalised for shoving to early. Why shove to early?

Still a great game from both teams. And once again well done England for getting the win.