Ireland claim first title with superb victory over England

FIRA-AER UNDER-18 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP:IRELAND SCHOOLBOYS claimed a first FIRA-AER Under-18 European Championship with a 17-8 win over England in Tarbes, France.

It exacted revenge for a 29-12 defeat to Saturday’s opponents in the qualification process at Donnybrook last Christmas and followed up an impressive semi-final win over France. The Terry McMaster-coached team led 11-3 at the break with two penalties from outstanding scrumhalf and captain Luke McGrath with winger Conor McEllin crossing for a 26th-minute try.

England’s heavier pack had an advantage in the scrum but Ireland’s decision-making, composure in possession and ability to take the right options helped them maintain their lead in muggy conditions at Stade Maurice Trelut.

McGrath kicked another brace of penalties to stretch the margin to 14 points and although English prop Alec Hepburn got over for a late unconverted try, it failed to take the gloss off what was an accomplished display. It was Ireland’s fourth time to reach the final (they lost to France in 2007, ’08 and last year), but this was the first year the schools team competed as opposed to an Ireland team comprised of club players.

Two well-struck penalties from McGrath had the Irish leading 6-0 after 11 minutes, his second effort from just inside the English half. From a quick turnover, he scampered away and his offload was knocked on by McEllin with the try-line at his mercy. A shoulder injury for lock Jerry Sexton saw him replaced by Luke Satchwell. The latter went in at flanker with the versatile Donagh Lawler moving into the secondrow.

Indiscipline at the breakdown saw England cough up yards and McGrath turned down a kickable penalty in favour of a lineout, five metres out. The Irish pack drove forward. After a couple of phases, number eight Ryan Murphy looked to have stretched for a try but referee Arnaud Blondel ruled he grounded the ball just short and had lost the ball forward.

But Ireland got the try they deserved in the 26th minute. Centre Chris Farrell did well to draw a tackle and pass for McEllin to twist his way over in the right corner. McGrath’s conversion attempt shaved the post and two minutes later, an offence at a ruck allowed English outhalf Henry Slade to kick a penalty.

A deliberate knock-on from English captain Dominic Barrow gave the Irish a penalty and McGrath posted the penalty in the 58th-minute strike to stretch Ireland’s lead to 14-3.Three minutes later, McGrath sniped away from the base of a scrum, play was switched into midfield and English replacement Joe Buckle earned a yellow card for infringing at the ruck. McGrath landed the penalty with eight minutes left. Hepburn’s late try was merely cosmetic.

IRELAND UNDER-18 SCHOOLS: Rory Scholes (Campbell College); Conor McEllin (Blackrock College), Robert Henshaw (Marist College, Athlone), Chris Farrell (Campbell College), Mark Roche (Blackrock College); Stuart Olding (Belfast Royal Academy), Luke McGrath (St Michaels College, capt); Gordon Frayne (Clongowes Wood College), Bryan Byrne (Clongowes Wood College), Edward Byrne (Clongowes Wood College), Jerry Sexton (St Marys College), Gavin Thornbury (Blackrock College), Donagh Lawler (St Michaels College), Dan Leavy (St Michaels College), Ryan Murphy (Pres Cork). Replacements: Luke Satchwell (Kings Hospital) for Sexton (16 mins), Jack Fitzpatrick (Gonzaga College) for Scholes (18-28, blood sub), Jack O'Neill (Castleknock College) for Thornbury (41 mins), Chris Taylor (Wallace High School) for Frayne (47 mins), Jack Fitzpatrick (Gonzaga College) for Scholes (55 mins), Cian OHalloran (Christian Brothers College, Cork) for Roche, Rory Scannell (Presentation Brothers College, Cork) for Olding, David Shanahan (Belvedere College) for McGrath (all 69). Not used: Andrew Murphy (St Michaels College), Thomas Ferrari (Sligo Grammar School), Mark Best (Campbell College), Séamus Glynn (Presentation Brothers College, Cork).

ENGLAND UNDER-18S: Jack Nowell; Anthony Watson, Mark Jennings, Sam Hill, Jack Arnott; Henry Slade, Alex Day; Alec Hepburn, Nathan Morris, Danny Herriott, Tom Jubb, Dominic Barrow(capt), David Sisi, Matt Hankin, Jack Clifford.

Referee: Arnaud Blondel(France)