Munster Rugby players help Ireland U20s edge past France U20s in Six Nations

IRELAND U20s made it two wins from two in the U20 Six Nations championship after securing a thrilling 33-31 victory over France U20s at Musgrave Park on Friday night.

A 77th minute penalty goal from the boot of out-half Sam Prendergast helped Ireland back up their opening round victory away to Wales with a thrilling home success at the sold-out Cork venue.

Ireland, who led 20-14 at half-time, scored three tries in all through Paddy McCarthy and Hugh Gavin in the opening half,  while Munster Rugby back-row Brian Gleeson dotted down in the second half.

Match-winner Prendergast scored 18 points in all for Richie Murphy's young guns.

IRELAND U-20: Henry McErlean (Terenure College RFC/Leinster); James Nicholson (UCD RFC/Leinster), Hugh Cooney (Clontarf FC/Leinster), John Devine (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht), Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht); Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne FC/Leinster), Fintan Gunne (Terenure College RFC/Leinster); George Hadden (Clontarf FC/Leinster), Gus McCarthy (UCD RFC/Leinster) (capt), Paddy McCarthy (Dublin University FC/Leinster), Diarmuid Mangan (UCD RFC/Leinster), Conor O'Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster), James McNabney (Ballymena RFC/Ulster), Ruadhán Quinn (Old Crescent RFC/Munster), Brian Gleeson (Garryowen FC/Munster). Replacements used: Danny Sheahan (UCC RFC/Munster) for G McCarthy (47-55 mins), George Morris (Lansdowne FC/Leinster) for Quinn (56-63), Evan O'Connell (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster) for O'Tighearnaigh (56), Fiachna Barrett (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht) for P McCarthy (70). Not used: Jacob Sheahan (UCC RFC/Munster), Oscar Cawley (Naas RFC/Leinster), Harry West (Buccaneers RFC/Connacht), Rory Telfer (Queen's University Belfast RFC/Ulster).

FRANCE U-20: Louis Bielle-Biarrey (Union Bordeaux-Bègles); Théo Attissogbe (Section Paloise), Nicolas Depoortere (Union Bordeaux-Bègles), Émilien Gailleton (Section Paloise), Enzo Benmegal (Racing 92); Tom Raffy (CA Brive), Léo Carbonneau (CA Brive); Louis Penverne (Stade Rochelais), Barnabé Massa (FC Grenoble Rugby), Zaccharie Affane (Union Bordeaux-Bègles), Hugo Auradou (Section Paloise), Brent Liufau (Section Paloise), Oscar Jegou (Stade Rochelais), Lenni Nouchi (Montpellier HR), Marko Gazzotti (FC Grenoble Rugby). Replacements: Thomas Lacombre (Stade Toulousain), Luca Tabarot (Montpellier HR), Maïno Pakihivatau (SU Agen), Bastien Chinarro (USA Perpignan), Mathis Castro Ferreira (Stade Toulousain), Hugo Reus (Stade Rochelais), Arthur Mathiron (Lyon OU), Mathis Ferté (CA Brive).

REFEREE: Angus Mabey (New Zealand)