IRB U21 World Championships- Round Four

Ireland U21 s demolish Canada with a 77-3 victory in their Round 4 clash. Four Munster players made appearances in the game, with Anthony Kavanagh and Ross Noonan both scoring tries

IRB U21 World Championships- Round 4

Ireland U21 s Demolish Canada with a 77-3 Victory

Having made nine changes to the starting line up for Monday s IRB Under-21 World Cup 9th-12th Play-Off, Ireland made short work of Canada, comprehensively winning 77-3 in what can only be described as a demolition, orchestrated by a dominant forward pack.

Prop Ronan Loughney set the pace, opening the scoring for Ireland with a try after just one minute. Canada s only contribution to the score line came after 4 minutes with a penalty from Steve Woodward. Hooker Joseph Merrigan added a try after 18 minutes, with Garryowen s Anthony Kavanagh getting his touchdown just after the half hour mark. Before half time, winger Dan Riordan bagged two tries, giving Ireland 1 39-3 lead at the break.

The winning streak continued after the restart, with second row Alex Dunlop scoring after 47 minutes. Centre Andrew Trimble got the first of two tries two minutes later, with Robert Sweeney and Paul McKenzie crossing the line on each side of the hour mark. UCC s Ross Noonan, who came on as a replacement, scored a try after 69 minutes, with Trimble picking up his second try of the day shortly after. Outstanding once more was captain Gareth Steenson, who contributed 20 points to Ireland s tally, kicking seven conversions and two penalties.

Ireland s opposition for deciding 9th/10th placement will be Samoa on Saturday, who beat Italy in their play off. Having beaten Samoa in the pool game 29-21, Ireland will be confident of seeing off the challenge. In the semi finals, South Africa defeated reigning champions New Zealand 16-12, and will now face Australia in the final on Saturday. Australia defeated France 28-16 to book their place in the final.

Garryowen s Anthony Kavanagh got his first start in the tournament, playing at blindside flanker. His Garryowen team mates Conan Doyle and Gerry Hurley were named on the bench alongside UCC’s Ross Noonan and all three made an appearance in the game after 65 minutes. Five Munster players remain involved in the squad, three of whom are members of Garryowen FC with the remaining two from UCC. Forward Anthony Kavanagh, out half Conan Doyle and scrum half Gerry Hurley all hail from Garryowen, with winger Paul Hurley and back row player Ross Noonan from UCC completing the Munster involvement. Kavanagh, Melbourne, Doyle and Noonan are all members of the Munster Academy, with Gerry Hurley and Paul Hurley due to join the Academy shortly.

IRELAND U-21: (15) Mark Kettyle (Belfast Harlequins), (14) Daniel Riordan (Corinthians), (13) Andrew Trimble (Ballymena), (12) Gareth Steenson (Dungannon) (Capt), (11) Paul McKenzie (Belfast Harlequins), (10) Jonathon Sexton (St Mary’s College), (9) Cillian Willis (UCD), (1) Robert Sweeney (Clontarf), (2) Joseph Merrigan (Corinthians), (3) Ronan Loughney (Galwegians), (4) Alex Dunlop (Terenure College RFC), (5) Ryan Caldwell (Dungannon), (6) Anthony Kavanagh (Garryowen), (7) Chris Henry (Malone), (8) Stephen Ferris (Dungannon) Replacements: Stuart Philpott (Saracens) for Henry (77), John Andress (Belfast Harlequins) for Sweeney (63), Kevin McLaughlin (UCD) for Caldwell (65), Ross Noonan (UCC) for Ferris (65), Gerry Hurley (Garryowen) for Willis (65), Conan Doyle (Garryowen) for Steenson (65), Ross McCarron (UCD) for McKenzie (74)

CANADA U-21: Jarod Selby; Phil Mack, Dave Stockton, John Benson, Dan West; Steve Woodward, James Buchanan; Jordan Allen, Ken Van Allen, Matt Evans, Josh Dunning (Capt), Cody Berg, Sam Val-Zehan, David Nielsen, Nolan Ott. Replacements: Rogan Verboven, Glen McKinnon, Pat Kearney, Aaron Goddard, Spence Dalziel, Steve Piatek, Adam Kleeberger.

Coach: Mark McDermott Assistant Coach: Niall Malone Manager: David Haslett

Referee: Carlo Damasco (Italy)

IRB UNDER-21 WORLD CUP: Mendoza, Argentina Ireland fixtures/results: (all kick-offs Irish time (Argentina -4 hours)) Thursday, June 9: Ireland 23 France 31, Chacras RC, 7.00pm Monday, June 13: Ireland 29 Samoa 21, Maristas RC, 7.00pm Friday, June 17: Ireland 25 South Africa 42, Liceo RC, 7.00pm Tuesday, June 21: Ireland 77 Canada 3, Chacras RC, 7pm

Seedings (1-12): New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, Wales, France, England, Argentina, Scotland, Italy, Samoa, Canada