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.”

What is Frankie Sheehan waffling about, that was a clear penalty.

Some really good stuff from England. The general attacking play has been good but we could possibly do with getting the ball out of rucks more quickly. First phase ball we look really good though - that move off the line-out for the second try and the hands off that penalty from the scrum.

Slightly early hit from England there

Ireland are giving away a lot of penalties, I wouldn't be surprised to see a yellow at some point.

Wow got out jail there!

I think that's the thinking with carrying on attacking rather than taking the points when we're on top, they backed themselves to get a try, a yellow card or both. Danger still isn't clear for Ireland.

We can't keep defending against these big English runners.

Not brilliant game management though when 3 points are pretty much on a plate, call me a snore-bore, but I'd rather see them keep the board ticking over.

Surely he's got to warn them, they've killed the ball in the red zone.

Double figures of penalties in a half is usually a trigger regardless of where they're committed.

That's about 7 with 12 minutes to go.

There's a warning Cumbrian.

Yellow was coming. Feic.

Indeed.

Frankie Sheehan does talk some Tom Kite.

Ireland need to keep the ball out of contact rodders, but that's just got more difficult with a man down.

Yeah we're just struggling to get over the gainline and retain the ball in contact, makes it very difficult to put any attacking patterns together.

To be honest its a miracle we are at 15-6. Happy days!

Good work at the breakdown there Ireland, take the three here and get the ball back........ good lad.

Better game management from Ireland here.

Surely the ref should actually say "the ball is out" seeing as he was behind all of the english players so only the irish could see him signal it?

Just noticed there was a thread covering this game. Score anyone, still 12 - 3?

Ridiculous from England, player in the sin bin and they arse around at the lineout like that.

I like it when refs run out of patience - it's better for the game.

15-6 Morgan.

Bloody Hell

Excess of eggs in the pudding England. Stoopid.

Jeez, how far exactly do you have to knock a ball forward nowadays?!

I hope this is like the previous games when we've started strong, faded in the middle and let rip at the end.

Jeebus Christ. Paddy Jackson has lost his marbles.

How many overlaps do England want to blow today?

England have scrum fever. There really is no need for the constant option of the scrum. Their best breaks have come down the 10 channel. And the reason they're only 9 points ahead is the fact that they have gone for too many scrums.

I heard a lot of raving about Jackson and really not been impressed so far. Promise not to judge on this one game (or at least half, so far)

Very disappointing after the great start

HammerofThunor wrote:I heard a lot of raving about Jackson and really not been impressed so far. Promise not to judge on this one game (or at least half, so far)

I said exactly the same when I saw him. Ireland must have a poor conveyor belt of 10s.

15-6 half time England look to be in control at the moment.

Some good plays in there but should have pressed home the advantage a bt more.

I'd like to see Spencer get on for England in the second half, Robson's crabbing across the pitch toward his intended targets has been irritating.

Not convinced by Jackson myself but there's other more knowledgeable Ulster fans who rate him highly. Personally I'm not sure hes got the game management for a 10 but hes a young lad I suppose.

Certainly hes a talented attacker but he needs to cut out the maverick stuff here.

Been looking at the England full back, he reminds me of a young Serge Blanco.
He will be a great England team member if he keeps playing like he is.

This game is just about in England's favour at the moment, England have had the better of the play but haven't worked smarter than Ireland - just harder.

Ireland are not out of this by any means, they played the sin-binning very well.

Just for the record, why do commentators not count the 3pt penalty that resulted in the sin-binning when they talk about the number of points scored during the sin-binning?

Is it because the clock is stopped for the penalty?

majesticimperialman wrote:Been looking at the England full back, he reminds me of a young Serge Blanco.
He will be a great England team member if he keeps playing like he is.

Really like the look of Watson with the ball in hand, he looks deadly. Would like to see a bit more of his all round game though.

England have had so much ball, it has all got a bit too frantic, Heathcote will hopefully calm it down second half. The ref is keeping Ireland in it at scrumtime but will eventually give England some reward....hopefully.

Ok let's go now England - pile it on!

Walker's acceleration is frightening!


Thought they were going to blow it again, mind.

20-6
47 min gone

Recwatcher wrote:England have had so much ball, it has all got a bit too frantic, Heathcote will hopefully calm it down second half. The ref is keeping Ireland in it at scrumtime but will eventually give England some reward....hopefully.

When you consider young Tom looks a more promising prospect than an All Black WC winner, it does beg the question whether the future of Bath lies in the transfer market or the academy?

Nice try England.

Disaster. England are going to smash us I fear now. We just can't compete physically here. Far too many missed tackles and the pack just can't provide any platform for us at all.

Sigh Ireland are playing silly rugby,our kickin game is moronic.

He's just done us for a feed! Unbelievable! The Irish 9 has been throwing the ball to the feet of his no.8 all night!

In fairness we need all the help we can get.

There does appear to be a big physical mismatch at this age level.

He will do well to avoid a card here.

Henderson will get red here.

Lucky, lucky boy.