Irish U20s come up short against France in World Cup opener

 26-24 Ireland

A five minute second half blitz from an extremely physical French side was enough for a narrow two point win in their opening World Cup game against Ireland in Perpignan.

It looked as though Ireland were set to land an opening round shock as they took a deserved 17-5 lead in at the interval.

However after the restart, France wrestled control from the visitors. Ireland did respond with a late Harry Byrne try and conversion cut the deficit to just two points an earn what could yet be a valuable bonus point.

Ireland needed a solid start but it was the home side who struck first after less than five minutes when a clearance from Byrne was charged down inside the 22. France were quick to capitalise, running a resultant penalty for left winger Maxime Marty to score in the corner.

Romain Ntamack, son of former French and Toulouse star Emile, missed the resultant conversion and was also off target with a penalty from 40 metres on the left after 14 minutes.

Byrne’s first attempt at posts was also wide of the mark but he attuned for his earlier miss with a 25 metre effort to cut the deficit to 5-3 after 18 minutes.

Already depleted with numerous injuries, Ireland were forced into a late change when loosehead James French – injured in the warm up – was replaced by Jordan Duggan.

2018 World Rugby U20 Championship Pool C, Stade Aime-Giral, Perpignan, France 30/5/2018
France U20’s vs Ireland U20’s. Ireland’s Diarmuid Barron dejected after the game. Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

The pack demonstrated precision, patience and control to build several phases with flanker Joe Dunleavy crossing for the try which Byrne converted to make it 10-5 after 22 minutes. Ireland’s injury problems would worsen when winger Dan Hurley was forced off two minutes later.

France were starting to show some serious attacking prowess but somehow managed to butcher two clear try scoring chances with Irish replacement winger Sean O’Brien doing enough to deny Marty a second try.

Irish winger Tom Roche then picked off an intercept to dash over but the move was whistled back for a high tackle on Ntamack which earned Irish tighthead Jack Aungier ten minutes in the bin.

"We're disappointed but there was a lot of positives. Two massive games to come so the focus turns to that now."

– @IrishRugby captain Caelan Doris reacts to that #WorldRugbyU20s defeat to France. pic.twitter.com/YHm4VuKgbD

— eir Sport (@eirSport) May 30, 2018

Despite being down to 14, Ireland actually increased their lead. A sustained period of pressure consisting of multiple phases saw scrum-half Hugh O’Sullivan diving through a gap in the final play of the opening half to dot down for the try. Byrne added the extras to lead 17-5 at the break.

However, it took the French less than five minutes to erase Ireland’s advantage following a blistering start to the second half.  Arthur Coville crossed and then Ntamack chased his own grubber to score and convert and push France 19-17 in front.

Marty then accounted for his second try of the game on 51 minutes after a scything break by full-back Hassane Kolinger. Ntamack added the extras from the touchline to make it 26-17.

France were made sweat to the end when Byrne got in for Ireland’s third try but the visitors were unable to snatch it at the death.

72: TRY!@IrishRugby are back in the game!

Harry Byrne with the try and conversion!

France 26-24 Ireland.

Live on eir sport 2!#WorldRugbyU20s #FutureIsGreen pic.twitter.com/M1AfPVJVw8

— eir Sport (@eirSport) May 30, 2018

Dublin-born adopted-Frenchman Daniel Brennan reacts to that win for the hosts tonight at the #WorldRugbyU20s. pic.twitter.com/GzP1Ik2Cxe

— eir Sport (@eirSport) May 30, 2018

France: Clement Laporte; Lucas Tauzin, Pierre LouIs Barassi, Adrien Seguret, Maxime Marty (Matthis Lebal 66); Romain Ntamack, Artur Coville (c) (Jules Gimbert 66); Hassane Kolingar (Jean Baptiste Gros 53), Maxime Lamothe (Guillame Marchand 50), Daniel Brennan (Demba Bamba h-t); Thomas Lavault, Killian Geraci (Pierre-Henri Azagoh 56); Sacha Zegueur (Jordan Joseph 33), Cameron Woki, Charlie Francoz.

Ireland: Michael Silvester; Tom Roche, Tommy O’Brien, Peter Sylvester, Dan Hurley (Sean O’Brien 28); Harry Byrne (Conor Dean 50-59 HIA), Hugh O’Sullivan (Jonny Stewart 68); James French, Diarmuid Barron (Dan Sheehan 76), Jack Aungier (Joe Byrne 57); Matthew Dalton (Cormac Daly 50 HIA), Jack Dunne; Joe Dunleavy (Aaron Hall 68), Matthew Agnew (Joe Byrne 37-46), Caelan Doris