Battling England go close as Ireland have to hang on

ENGLAND were denied a remarkable comeback victory in their opening game of the Under 20s Championship as they shared a breathless draw with Ireland in Paarl.

- CAMERON STEPHENS

Trailing by double digits late on, a Connor Slevin penalty and Jacob Cusick’s silky score drew England level with the Grand Slam winners heading into the final five minutes of the game.

Ireland then handed England a golden chance to snatch the game after spilling the ball five metres from their line with seconds remaining, but an unforced error inches from the line saw the two sides share the spoils in an enthralling encounter.

“The boys worked hard throughout the game, we were physical and good on the gainline but we need to be more clinical at times,” England captain Lewis Chessum said.

“Our set piece wasn’t good enough in the first half so we had to go back to what we do best and we kept them in their half quite well in the second half, but some silly penalties and handling discipline let us down.”

England laid the platform early on with some brutal ball carrying from the pack, eventually leading to the opening score as Slevin knocked over a penalty from in front inside five minutes.

Ireland’s first chance to attack then came as fullback Henry McErlean sparked the attack by getting around the outside of the defence to drive Ireland inside England’s 22.

Despite holding off Ireland’s initial surge of attack, England’s defensive wall was eventually broken as fly-half Sam Prendergast crashed through two defenders on his way to the line.