Last year they ripped up the formbook on day one of the JWC, and this year they’ve done it again.
Under the stewardship of Mike Ruddock, Ireland’s Under 20s beat the match favourites Australia 19-15 on day one of the IRB Junior World Championship, in a closely fought clash in Vannes.
Despite their impressive performance last year in South Africa, when they beat the hosts on the opening day, the Irish were underdogs going into the match at Stade de la Rabine, but were on top for large parts of the game and ran out deserved winners.
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Further south, a full house basked in the sunshine in La Roche-sur-Yon for “Le Crunch” as England took on the hosts.
Despite a terrific atmosphere with fans from all over the north west of France cheering on the hosts at Stade Henri Desgrange, it wasn’t enough as England clinically dispatched their opponents, 30-6, with captain Jack Clifford leading from the front.
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The tournament’s opening encounters were slightly more predictable, as last year’s runners up New Zealand demolished Fiji 59-6, and South Africa almost made it treble figures in La Roche sur Yon, as they defeated the USA 97-0.
At Stade Pascal Laporte in Nantes, Wales proved too strong for Samoa, winning 42-3, and Patricio Fernandez scored 29 points as Argentina beat Scotland 44-13 in the evening sunshine at the same venue.
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IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “The quality of Rugby on display on day one of this tournament was fantastic.”
“We saw the open, running Rugby that fans come to expect in front of huge crowds, great weather and great atmospheres here in the North west of France.” “I can imagine it will be a closely fought competition right to the end, and we have weeks of thrilling rugby ahead.” he said.
You can follow all the action from match day two as it happens, via www.irb.com/jwc with the fully interactive IRB live updates and follow the tournament on Twitter at @irbjuniors or via Facebook atwww.facebook.com/irbjuniorworldrugby.
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