Ireland U20s vs England U20s, Friday 27th February, 19:05

English Lurker

Wolfpuppies: Billy Dardis (UCD/Leinster), Jack Owens (Queen's University Belfast/Ulster), Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster), Sam Arnold (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Stephen Fitzgerald (Shannon/Munster), Ross Byrne (UCD/Leinster), Nick McCarthy (UCD/Leinster) (capt); Jeremy Loughman (UCD/Leinster), Zack McCall (Queen's University Belfast/Ulster), Oisin Heffernan (Terenure College/Leinster), David O'Connor (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Alex Thompson (Queen's University Belfast/Ulster), Josh Murphy (UCD/Leinster), Rory Moloney (Buccaneers/Connacht), Lorcan Dow (Queen's University Belfast/Ulster)

Replacements: Adam McBurney (Ballymena/Ulster), Michael Lagan (Ballymena/Ulster), Conan O'Donnell (Sligo/NUIG/Connacht), Cian Romaine (Buccaneers/Connacht), Nick Timoney (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Jack Cullen (Shannon/Munster), Joey Carbery (UCD/Leinster), Harrison Brewer (Terenure College/Leinster)

Baby Orcs: Aaron Morris (Saracens), George Perkins (Saracens), Joe Marchant (Harlequins), Nick Tompkins (Saracens), Howard Packman (Northampton Saints), Oliver Bryant (Leicester Tigers), James Mitchell (Sale Sharks); Ellis Genge (Bristol Rugby), Jack Walker (Yorkshire Carnegie), Ciaran Parker (Sale Sharks), Kieran Treadwell (Harlequins), Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, captain), Joe Batley (Gloucester Rugby), Will Owen (Leicester Tigers), James Chisholm (Harlequins)

Replacements: Jack Innard (Exeter Chiefs), Seb Adeniran-Olule (Harlequins), Paul Hill (Yorkshire Carnegie), Charlie Beckett (Leicester Tigers), Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs), Will Homer (Bath Rugby), Piers O'Conor (Wasps Rugby), Tom Howe (Wasps Rugby)

Where: Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin

Viewing Options: Tickets available at the gate at EUR15 for adults and EUR5 for kids; live on Sky Sports 3 and RTE 2



"Miss said its my turn with the ball Harry..."

I really like U20 rugby, ever since the 2009 JWC, where Courtney Lawes first promised Englishmen salvation from the tyranny of Borthwick and Deacon; in green, a fresh-faced Nevin Spence looked as good as anything the Kiwis had; and back in white, Tom Homer briefly deluded me into thinking he'd be an international great.

Partly it is that joy of seeing the future, although as two of those examples show, what will happen is very uncertain, sometimes for the worst of reasons. Partly it is because U20 teams tend to play with a greater ambition than their senior counterparts. But, also, in part, it's been because England have been very good at U20 rugby. It's been one of the best chances to see them win.

But this evening is not one to fill any Englishman with confidence. England U20 struggled and subsided to a first day loss to Wales U20; the Irish, by contrast, just put in an incredibly impressive performance to tame a rollicking French side. Their backline is stuffed to the brim with highly rated talent. Advantage Ireland? It looks that way - and it definitely looks like being a very good game of rugby.



Garry Ringrose's ascent to JWC stardom is temporarily set-back

What to expect

The general consensus seems to be that if the Irish pack can stand up to the test, there's enough talent in the backs to do the job comfortably. There is, so far, no Henderson or Furlong, no precocious totem to set the level and demand others meet it. England's pack has a few boys with burgeoning reputations. Hooker Jack Walker is in his second year at U20 level with another to go, has already captained Yorkshire Carnegie and been involved with the England senior squad. Behind him, captain Charlie Ewels attracted plaudits when filling in at 8 for Bath against Toulouse. But it hasn't yet filtered through to performance. It's a young England pack too; Parker, Treadwell, Batley, Adeniran-Olule and Beckett were all playing U18 rugby last summer. This might not turn out to be quite the challenge Ireland were expecting.

Irish eyes will be on Heffernan and McCall, both having attracted a little criticism recently for set-piece wobbles. McCall might smile wryly at the sight of three nearly 2m tall men in the English line-out in the shape of Batley, Ewels and Treadwell; Heffernan will be determined to impose himself on Bristol's Ellis Genge, described by Hartpury College's Alan Martinovic as an "unlimited talent". Whichever unit comes out on top, then it will be up to the big men to make in-roads and draw in defenders. James Chisholm has been the pick of England's back-rows so far and Murphy and Moloney will have to be sharp if he decides to pick and go off the scrum. Similarly, Ireland will look to Lorcan Dow to impose his will.



Lorcan Dow - bigger than is right for a teenager

The likelihood is that both backlines will see a healthy amount of possession, which should delight the neutral, as that is where both sides' strong points lie. James Mitchell and Oliver Bryant probably isn't England's strongest possible half-back pairing; Bryant, in fact, doesn't even have a proper profile on the RFU website, which hints at unexpected selection. Mitchell does and he looks like he's an extra of the Musketeers. Anyway. It's not a good comparison, with captain Nick McCarthy and the very in form Ross Byrne looking like a partnership that can go on together from here. That could be the edge Ireland need in a game like this. Both side's centres look incredibly talented and there's a slight symmetry to boot; a very classy albeit slight operator from last year has been paired with a highly impressive young athlete. Sam Arnold impressed after getting the nod last time out over Fergal Cleary and will give Byrne an outlet under pressure; I don't really need to say anything about Ringrose here. Nick Tompkins, an ever present from last year for England U20s, is at 12 and should give Bryant a helping hand. He's been very impressive for Saracens this year at times. His partner, Joe Marchant, has also done well for Quins A, and has also been a regular competitor at both gymnastics and the hammer, shot put and discus in the past.

England's back three will probably find themselves under pressure from an Irish backline rammed with talented tactical kickers and its a relief to see Aaron Morris return from injury. He'll be joined by Howard Packman, possibly the pick of England's backs so far and very good at taking the pill, and Saracens team mate George Perkins. They should certainly punish any loose kicking, just as Dardis, Fitzgerald and Owens will. England have two extra speedsters to launch from the bench if needed (I'm not sure who's covering fly-half tbh) which could benefit them if the game opens up, particularly as Ireland don't seem to have any natural back three cover. Instead, Harrison Brewer will bring added physicality to the final quarter.

Ultimately, I'd feel that home advantage and the difference at half-backs would point to an Irish win, but rugby remains very unpredictable at this level and this is a stronger English side than started the tournament. So, really, your guess is as good as mine - but whichever way the win goes, there is potential for a top game of rugby here.



Exhibit A: A scrum-half box-kicking. Notice the look of apprehension on the forward's face; it is unclear whether this is due to worry about the scrum-half bollocksing it up and hitting him, or the prospect of more running...

Trivia & Silliness

- Both of England's props started as no 8s, both of England's centres started as flankers
- McCall, O'Connor, Walker and Homer all have older brothers who played at this level.
- Treadwell played with Dow, Cullen, Arnold and Carberry in the Ireland U18s clubs side that beat England U18 Clubs and Schools in 2013; Aaron Morris played 13 for England that day.
- Piers O'Connor played with 13 members of this Ireland U20 side in the Ireland U19 side lost to Australia and is undoubtedly in for some massive ribbing if England lose.
- Lorcan Dow scored on both of these occasions; if he scores again, I'm blaming Callard for playing Dow's lucky charms.
- Player mugshots reveal that Mitchell has the worst facial hair, Chisholm the worst haircut, that Dow might have been drunk at time of taking, and that Nick Timoney might be a psychopath
- Byrne, McCarthy, Cullen and Heffernan are the only survivors of this match-up last year for Ireland; England welcome back Tompkins, Packman, Ewels, Chisholm, Walker and Hill.

wittycynic

Magnificent write up, one of the best I've seen. Really looking forward to this tonight.

thomond2006

Cheers for the write up EL. As someone who knows little about the U20s players that was a great read! I'm hoping to make it to Donnybrook this evening, I haven't been to an Ireland U20s match before so looking forward to it!

Tox56

Great write up, if Ireland don't let the occasion get to them and they play with the same confidence and take the same risks with ball in hand as they did v France this will be an absolute cracker, especially with the artificial pitch

errlloyd

Very good write up, you potentially sold two tickets there as I'm now kinda tempted to go.

English Lurker

errlloyd wrote: »

Very good write up, you potentially sold two tickets there as I'm now kinda tempted to go.

Do!

If I didn't have a seemingly never-ending cold/expensive things to save up for, I'd have flown over - go to this, try to blag a ticket somewhere for the main game, maybe try and go to the women's too. I think this'll be a more open game than the main affair, that's for sure, and it's a cheap enough way to see some high quality rugby in the flesh.

And no, I'm not on commission from the IRFU

thomond2006

I assume there's no problem getting tickets at the gate?

.ak

thomond2006 wrote: »

I assume there's no problem getting tickets at the gate?

Shouldn't be.

mogwai81

If anyone could send me a PM with a link to stream this match i would greatly appreciate it ( living in Australia). Cheers

sydthebeat

Good start by Ireland, mixing it up.

Fitzgerald drops a tough cross field kick over the line

irishbucsfan

This is going to be a really tough game to win but that was a nice passage of play.

LuckyGent88

That's was a great effort. Really should have caught that.

English Lurker

Lovely quick thinking from Byrne to go for it though. So close. Nervy beginning for both of them.

Ed The Equalizer

mogwai81 wrote: »

If anyone could send me a PM with a link to stream this match i would greatly appreciate it ( living in Australia). Cheers

Setup the trial with Unotelly, change your DNS settings as instructed, and then you can watch the RTE Player

irishbucsfan

James Mitchell looks like a good player. In the Sale academy of all places!

its_phil

WTF was that from Dardis?! You've drawn the man what with the no look pass!!

LuckyGent88

Ah that's a pity. Should have held on to it

irishbucsfan

Was Owens that deep by choice or just left behind a little bit there?

English Lurker

Loughman grabs Ireland's third turnover of the opening 15 minutes - definite advantage Ireland there.

Jeez, real close to a try there.

bilston

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Was Owens that deep by choice or just left behind a little bit there?

Would have helped if Dardis had actually looked where he was passing!!!

Great kick from Dardis though.

ssaye2

Great start forwards excellent ringrose special

Tox56

That English 9 looks at least 40 years old

English Lurker

6-0 after 20 minutes and its all Ireland - really should have another 17 points on top of that but for profligacy.

LuckyGent88

We had that ball turned over but he had no support.

irishbucsfan

Mitchell doing a great job of keeping our back three deep

LuckyGent88

What skill deserves a try

Ringrose almost became legendary with that pass between the legs

Tox56

The skill and balls on Ringrose

case885

Some pass by Zeb... i mean Ringrose :pac:

English Lurker

Yellow card for England 7 Will Owen - the floodgates creaking omeniously.

LuckyGent88

Don't think I've ever seen a kick that close to the posts!!

Hopefully we take advantage of this sin binning.

ssaye2

Silly

ssaye2

Annoying to be only 3 pts ahead

English Lurker

Tox56 wrote: »

That English 9 looks at least 40 years old

You're just jealous we have Al Pacino playing for us.

Tox56

McCarthy has had a poor start

LuckyGent88

That was so naive from the number 8. Really poor decision

Tox56

God I'm impressed with Ringrose, he was an animal in defence there

LuckyGent88

Massive tackle. We're really under pressure the last 5 mins

Tox56

Arnold has great hands for a big man

its_phil

Ringrose and Byrne have the potential to be world class. I'd give a nut for Byrne to play for Connacht next season.

Tox56

These are two seriously talented and well drilled sides, hopefully it opens up a bit in the second half

Score?

Hagz

Zac McCall giving a fair amount of lip to the opposition front row in the scrums.

Ireland have left a couple of tries out there. Darren Sweetnam disguising himself as England's scrum-half.

The Lost Sheep

Deleted User wrote: »

Score?

9-6. We have left a couple of scores behind but decent first half

S12b

its_phil wrote: »

Ringrose and Byrne have the potential to be world class. I'd give a nut for Byrne to play for Connacht next season.

Does anyone else see the similarities between Byrne and Sexton and Ringrose and O'Driscoll??

Byrne and Sexton have that tall skinny man look (both 6'2" and 92kgs ain't small tho) yet they have the speed and hit hard. They both look so comfortable taking it to the line at speed before delivering the pass at the last second.

Ringrose with that outside break, audacious bit of skill, shooting out of the line with a big hit to shut down a chance.....very O'Driscoll-esque.

And I don't see any way Byrne is going anywhere. With the world cup, Sexton and Madigan will be gone and I don't see Leinster bringing in a 10 meaning Byrne will likely be the starting 10 for Leinster for September and October!!

typhoony

i've seen some very good u20's players over the last 10yrs but Ringrose is a class above all of them and a proper 13 no doubt

Zzippy

Entertaining game, two very good teams for this level. Left a try or two out there, our backs are frighteningly good when they get the chance, just couldn't finish the chances. Lots of power in the English pack, when they start rumbling theyre hard to stop but Irish defence has been good so far. Should be a good second half...

bilston

S12b wrote: »

Does anyone else see the similarities between Byrne and Sexton and Ringrose and O'Driscoll

I'd say Byrne looks a better player than what Sexton did at U21 level as it was then. Ringrose looks a natural talent alright.

S12b

typhoony wrote: »

i've seen some very good u20's players over the last 10yrs but Ringrose is a class above all of them and a proper 13 no doubt

I'd put Ross Byrne up there too. I'm going to get carried away and make a wild prediction, that is what the u.20 6 nations is for after all......Byrne to be the next Irish 10 to legitimately challenge and eventually take over from Sexton.

LuckyGent88

Well that's a bollix!!!!

Inspector Coptoor

Just awful