A strong start and finish saw the Ireland Under-19s overcome a stiff challenge from their French counterparts in the first of two matches between the teams.
IN PICS: IRELAND U-19s 31 FRANCE U-19s 20 :- >> http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/31598.php#.U1BSHlVdX5s
The 31-20 victory continues an excellent run of results for the Ireland underage teams this week – the Under-18 Schools and Under-19 sides both beat France and the Under-18 Clubs outfit got the better of England.
The Ireland Under-19s, sponsored by PwC, were playing together for the first time since December’s loss to Australia at Ravenhill, and this Templeville Road fixture afforded Colin McEntee’s charges the opportunity to get back to winning ways.
France were impressive 54-14 winners over Japan recently, but it was the hosts who enjoyed a dream start to proceedings.
A strong drive towards the French line inside the opening 60 seconds put Ireland on the front foot immediately and wily out-half, Sean O’Hagan, ghosted through a gap to score to the left of the posts.
Gary Ringrose, a star performer for Blackrock College during their Leinster Schools Senior Cup triumph last year, added the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
The confidence-boosting score helped Ireland settle quickly into their stride and by the fifth minute they had a second converted try on the board.
Jack Owens from Campbell College raided through to score a brilliant solo effort. The pacey winger received the ball deep in the French half and avoided the waiting tackles with a drop of a shoulder and a sprint in under the posts…….. for the full report :- >> http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/fixturesandresults/31579.php
Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Tries: Sean O’Hagan, Jack Owens, Alex Thompson, Gary Ringrose, Sean McNulty; Cons: Gary Ringrose 3
France U19s ScorersTries: François Fontaine, Anthony Meric, Lucas Bachelier; Con: François Fontaine; Drop: Lucas Meret
Ireland U19 LineupsBilly Dardis (UCD/Leinster); Ciaran Gaffney (Galwegians/Connacht), Gary Ringrose (UCD/Leinster), Harrison Brewer (Terenure College/Leinster), Jack Owens (Campbell College/Ulster); Sean O’Hagan (Corinthians/Connacht), Jack Cullen (Bruff/Munster); Jeremy Loughman (Blackrock College/Leinster), Sean McNulty (UCD/Munster), Oisin Heffernan (Lansdowne/Leinster), Josh Murphy (UCD/Leinster), Alex Thompson (Methodist College/Ulster), Stephen McVeigh (Clongowes Wood College/Leinster), Ben Kilkenny (St. Munchin’s College/Munster), Lorcan Dow (Queen’s University/Ulster) (capt).
Replacement used: Josh Bingham (Methodist College/Ulster) for O’Hagan (55 mins). Not used: Steven Weir (Methodist College/Ulster), Michael Lagan (Methodist College/Ulster), Mike O’Donnell (Crescent College Comprehensive/Munster), Josh Davidson (Sullivan Upper School/Ulster), Ross Todd (Sullivan Upper School/Ulster), Conor Young (Instonians/Ulster), Fergal Cleary (Clongowes Wood College/Leinster).
Ireland U19 Management Team:-
Coach Colin McEntee
Asst Coach Nigel Carolan
Scrum Coach Conor Twomey
Physio Barry Smith
Doctor Dr Tim O’Flanagan
S&C Coach Declan Browne
Video Analyst Vinny Hammond
Logistics Manager Pat Downey
Kit Manager Phil Keeley
Squad Coordinator Jessica Quigley
Team Manager Barney McGonigle
France U19s LineupsValentin Saurs (Agen); Lucas Blanc (Bordeaux-Bègles), François Fontaine (Clermont Auvergne), Léo Ghirard (Agen) (capt), Pierre Fouyssac (Agen); Lucas Meret (Bordeaux-Bègles), Anthony Meric (Toulouse); Thibaut Estorge (Clermont Auvergne), Quentin Lespiaucq (Dax), Simon Courcoul (Clermont Auvergne), Thomas Jolmes (Grenoble), Tristan Labouteley (Montpellier), Martin Devergie (Montpellier), Lucas Bachelier (Perpignan), Fabien Sanconnie (Brive).
Replacements used: Alexis Armary (Tarbes) for Jolmes (half-time), William Ebongue Sipamio (Racing Métro 92) for Lespiaucq, Charlie Cassang (Agen) for Meric, Baptiste Rousset (Perpignan) for Meret, Hadrien Vaslin (La Rochelle) for Courcoul (all 49 mins), Camille Chat (Racing Métro 92) for Estorge (65). Not used: Julien Delannoy (Montpellier), Thomas Fortunel (Montauban), Sekou Macalou (Massy-Esson
