Ireland Downed Despite Munster 10

Munster, with five in Nigel Carolan’s starting XV, contributed all of Ireland’s 10 points last Friday evening, who were overturned by England in an absorbing game at Donnybrook.

Ahead of the women’s game, Ireland, captained once again by Calvin Nash, like their senior compatriots – went into the game knowing already that they were facing this year’s Championship winners in England, but were looking to spoil their Grand Slam party on St Patrick’s Day.

They got stuck in, and after some fantastic play in the first-half really should have set themselves up a solid platform on which to build, but in electing to push for the try off several penalties the gamble didn’t pay off, as the Irish missed opportunities to get points on the board.

Having conceded a try in the 18th minute, Garryowen’s Bill Johnston finally put the Irish on the board with a penalty, but frustration as Henry Walker crossed just before the half to hand the visitors an 11 point lead heading into the break.

The Irish powered on however, and finally got the try they deserved, with Munstermen Fineeen Wycherley and Gavin Coombes in the thick of things as the latter went over for a try on his second start in the tournament.

That made it a single score game, and in front of a heaving crowd in South Dublin, Carolan’s side continued to press, with reserve half-backs and Shannon teammates Conor Fitzgerald and Jack Stafford impressively directing operations behind a never-say-die set of forwards. A barnstorming maul drove Ireland up the right touchline before a series of pick and goes had England back-pedalling, although Ireland, once again, lacked a clinical edge when it mattered most.

Plenty to take heart from both a Munster perspective, with seven of the province’s brightest young talents on the field together on the hour mark, underlining Munster’s continuing contribution to this Irish outfit.

And globally for Carolan’s side a positive outlook too with the U20 World Championships coming up this summer, a little more edge on the finishing and Ireland won’t be far away.

Ireland: Jordan Larmour (St. Mary’s College/Leinster); Tommy O’Brien (UCD/Leinster), Gavin Mullin (UCD/Leinster), Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster), Calvin Nash (Young Munster/Munster) (capt); Bill Johnston (Garryowen/Munster), Jonny Stewart (Queen’s University/Ulster); Joey Conway (UL Bohemians/Munster), Tadgh McElroy (Lansdowne/Leinster), Charlie Connolly (Dublin University/Leinster), Fineen Wycherley (Young Munster/Munster), Oisin Dowling (Lansdowne/Leinster), John Foley (Shannon/Munster), Paul Boyle (Lansdowne/Leinster), Caelan Doris (St. Mary’s College/Leinster).

Replacements: Gavin Coombes (Young Munster/Munster) for Dowling (32 mins), Ronan Kelleher (UCD/Leinster) for McElroy, Matthew Burke (Corinthians/Connacht) for Connolly (both 52), Jack Stafford (Shannon/Munster) for Stewart (60), Jack Regan (UCD/Leinster) for Foley (62), Conor Fitzgerald (Shannon/Munster) for Johnston, Colm Hogan (Dublin University/Munster) for Nash (both 70), Greg McGrath (Lansdowne/Leinster) for Conway (77).