Under-19 international... Ireland 3 England 12: Ireland rounded off their preparation for the Under-19 World Cup in France with a nine-point defeat to England in Musgrave Park last night.

The home side struggled at the line-out and in the scrum and much work is needed in the next two weeks if they are to be ready for the challenge of the Italians on April 10th.

With outhalf Ross Broadfoot keeping Ireland on the back foot all evening, Ireland's backs got very little opportunity to shine.

Ireland opened the scoring in the 21st minute when Barry Keeshan kicked a penalty from 30 metres out. England drew level in the 35th minute when Broadfoot kicked a superb penalty from a very difficult angle.

The same player had England ahead three minutes after the restart when he kicked his second penalty of the game. And Broadfoot made it 3-9 in the 47th minute when he kicked his third penalty from three attempts.

England increased their lead to nine points when Broadfoot made it four out of four from the boot in the 67th minute.

Ireland's women's side were beaten 46-3 by England at Thomond Park yesterday.

SCORERS - Ireland: B Keeshan pen. England: R Broadfoot 4 pens.

IRELAND: R McCarron (UCD); M Hewitt (Skerries), B O'Donnell (UL Bohs), G Stafford (Lansdowne), P McKenzie (Loughborough); B Keeshan (UCC), S Auld (QUB); R Sweeney (St Mary's), R Loughney (UL Bohs), R Quinn (UCC); D Smith (Colston College), M Melbourne (Garryowen); O Hennessy (Dungannon), B McNamee (Northampton), A Kavanagh (Garryowen). Replacements: C Tresson (Blackrock) for S Auld (52); G Maxwell (Dungannon) for R Quinn (52); D Gavin (Blackrock) for R Sweeney (52); R McCarthy (Terenure) for R McCarron (61); J Andress (Belfast Harlequins) for R Loughney (64); T Ryan (Highfield) for A Kavanagh (64).

ENGLAND: O Morgan (Gloucester); J Wellwood (London Wasps), T Rock (Leeds Tykes), S Whalting (Bath), T Ojo (London Irish); R Broadfoot (London Irish), J Bedford (Bath); J Graham (Bath), I Clunis (London Irish), D Wilson (Newcastle Falcons); W Bowley Worcester), T Ryder (Leicester Tigers); W Skinner (Leicester Tigers), T Rees (London Wasps), R Thorpe (London Irish). Replacements: M Hampson (Leicester Tigers) for D Wilson (half time); A Buist (Newcastle Falcons) for W Bowley (47); M Hopley (Worcester) for R Thorpe (62).

Referee: M Changleng (SRU).