Irish Under-20's 2023

I thought there was a far more aggressive back line after Prendergast came on with a way better shape. They were getting outside and making line breaks which were let down by some poor hands at times. He's very good at the loop play which he has used in each game (possibly too much but teams at this level aren't experienced enough to cope).

Even individually, he fielded a kick at one point and ran it back for a big gain, setting up the ruck well inside their half. Ross Byrne would still be running to cover that ground.

The biggest difference was in defence though. Prendergast didn't do anything aside from making his tackles (although he has already shown in this tournament, particularly against England how strong that part of his game is with his choke tackling) but Lynch was way too sloppy with his decisions.

Prendergast hasn't hit the heights that he did in the early 6N but you can see glimpses. Even in simple things as how smooth and flat his pass is or his execution at times such as the flat, flip, skip pass for the opening try against Australia or the inside pop to Osborne. He needs to put it into a complete performance though.

Lynch made one really bad read going for an interception that was directly punished by a try due to the hole he left. Then he tried shooting again and was kicked in behind for another try just before being withdrawn.

Lynch seems a tidy player but I don't think he's going to get a pro deal ultimately.

Friday at 6pm.

Japan are just joy to watch in flow

Eng v France will be a carnage fest! Let them loose. Delighted to have avoided France.

great comeback from Japan, they are tearing Argentina up with their counterattacking

This could be good!

Ireland are defending very well, but unable to clear their lines.

Paddy McCarthy destroyed the South Africa 10 in the carry.

Really liking the running lines and variation in attack from Ireland. It's stressing the South Africa defence a lot and they're making mistakes. Problems are the inaccuracy in subsequent phases after the break. Can't keep putting ourselves under pressure and trying to soak up their physicality.

Prendergast has been pish this comp, bottling everything he touches

Lad has made an account specifically to troll a child.

Very weird behaviour.

Another moment of monster physicality from McCarthy.

I dont get how the pitches are so poor, they have completely over scheduled games on the pitches, this cant be the best available bit of turf currently out there

Biff

Poor management led up to that SA break. We had knock on adv and didnt take the scrum where we can win penalties from.

This SA side cant defend our mauls