Ireland brush England aside and keep U20s Grand Slam hopes alive

England U20s were defeated 39-21 by reigning U20 Six Nations champions Ireland at Northampton's Franklin's Gardens. Ireland led 29-7 at the break scoring tries through Alex Soroka, Hayden Hyde, Thomas Ahern and Ethan McIlroy, while England crossed via George Hammond.

Second half scores from Hugh Tizard and Theo Dan gave England hope but tries via Max O’Reilly and Ahern won the game for Ireland. It was a first loss for England having defeated France and Scotland in the opening two rounds, while Ireland remain unbeaten. Ireland started brightly and sent over an early penalty through Jack Crowley but England responded soon after with Hammond crashing through for a try which George Barton converted.

The visitors had a try ruled out by the TMO for an earlier knock on, but they weren't to be denied with Soroka bundling over in the corner after a period of sustained pressure.

Ireland had a second with Hyde going over after a fine offload moments earlier kept the ball in play and Crowley converted for 15-7. A third followed through Ahern who crashed over as Ireland showed great patience to work their way through England's defence and Ireland had a bonus point on the stroke of half time, with McIlroy crossing in the corner after a flowing team move.

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Tizzard went over soon after the break but O’Reilly had a fifth Ireland try after searing down the left wing to cross. Dan bundled over off the back of a driving maul but Ahern's try helped seal victory.