Defensive shift earns Slam for Zach’s boys
Ireland U20 10pts
Try: Coombes 64
Conversion: Johnston 64
Penalty: Johnston 40
England U20 14pts
Tries: Nay 18, Walker 40+2
Conversions: Malins 18, 40+2
ENGLAND U20s claimed the first English Grand Slam of the weekend in Dublin with a hard-fought win over Ireland early on Friday evening.
England, who were playing as a curtain-raiser to the women’s game later in the evening, led 14-3 at the break with tries from Jack Nay and Henry Walker, while Max Malins sent over two conversions for their first clean sweep since 2011.
Bill Johnston kicked a penalty for Ireland in between those scores to see his side go into half-time trailing by 11 points.
Gavin Coombes crossed just after the hour mark with Johnston’s conversion reducing the deficit to 14-10 but England held on for victory to the delight of captain Zach Mercer who paid tribute to his team mates, especially for their resilience late on.
“I’m incredibly proud of the character of this team,” he said. “We have shown that spirit throughout the competition and to defend like we did was outstanding.
“We showed a huge amount of belief in the way we performed. We were resilient. Ireland put us under pressure but I knew we would pull through because this team has that confidence. We have put in a lot of hard work.
“To get that turnover at the end shows the character of the boys. We wanted to make history and win the Grand Slam and we’ve done it. To go back on the plane with the boys knowing we’ve won it is amazing.
“It hasn’t quite kicked in that we have won the Grand Slam but I am over the moon.”
England, who had sealed the Six Nations against Scotland last weekend, started confidently in Dublin and they had their first try inside 16 minutes as successive penalties were kicked to the corner and Nay bundled over from the back of a lineout drive.
Ireland dominated the next 20 minutes but a combination of brave defence and superb breakdown work from England kept them out.
Sale’s rising back row star Tom Curry was penalised for a deliberate trip 5m from his own line but Ireland still could not find a way through.
A penalty late in the half was kicked by Johnston as they finally got some points on the board but in added time England hit back with a second try.
Superb offloading in contact and quick ball from a ruck saw hooker Walker scythe through Ireland’s defence to dot down under the posts on his first start for England U20s.
After the break relentless pressure eventually saw Ireland cross for their first try of the game with lock Coombes bundling over under the posts from close range which Johnston converted for 14-10.
Errors slowly crept into England’s game and they invited further pressure, but despite Ireland being camped on their try-line in an intense final five minutes they managed to deny the hosts from crossing and sealed victory.
England coach Tom Williams said: “We made it hard for ourselves, however the team have shown a lot of backbone and character today and that is what is so promising about this group.
“We know we can’t rest on our laurels and there is a lot to work on ahead of the U20 World Championship but we have a good platform to build from.”
