Munster Rugby players inspire Ireland U20s to crucial win over Australia U20s

IRELAND U20s boosted their hopes of reaching the semi-final stages of the U20 World Championship when scoring a 30-10 bonus point victory over Australia U20 in South Africa on Thursday morning.

A late try from Diarmuid Mangan, which was converted by Limerick scrum-half Jack Oliver, of Garrywen FC and Munster, ensured Ireland took a maximum five point haul from the game which was played in wet conditions in Paarl.

Earlier, powerful Munster back-row Brian Gleeson, also of Garryowen FC, scored his fifth try for Ireland U20s in just seven U20 appearances for his country this season.

Gus McCarthy and James Nicholson also scored tries for Ireland who led the Australians 11-10 at half-time.

The result puts Ireland temporarily at the top of Pool B, sitting on eight points with England and Fiji meeting later today. Richie Murphy's youngsters take on the Fijians at the same venue next Tuesday (kick-off 1.30pm local time/12.30pm Irish time).

The 20-point victory was tempered somewhat by Ruadhan Quinn's head injury late on, and replacement Rory Telfer ended the game in the sin bin following a high tackle.

Ireland U20s had earlier played out a thrilling high scoring draw with England U20s in their opening pool fixture on Saturday last.

SCORERS: Ireland U20: Tries: James Nicholson, Brian Gleeson, Gus McCarthy, Diarmuid Mangan; Cons: Sam Prendergast, Jack Oliver; Pens: Sam Prendergast 2. Australia U20: Try: Henry O'Donnell; Con: Jack Bowen; Pen: Jack Bowen. 

IRELAND U-20: Henry McErlean (Terenure College RFC/Leinster); Andrew Osborne (Naas RFC/Leinster), Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht), John Devine (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht), James Nicholson (UCD RFC/Leinster); Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne FC/Leinster), Fintan Gunne (Terenure College RFC/Leinster); Paddy McCarthy (Dublin University FC/Leinster), Gus McCarthy (UCD RFC/Leinster) (capt), Ronan Foxe (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), Charlie Irvine (Queen's University Belfast RFC/Ulster), Conor O'Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster), James McNabney (Ballymena RFC/Ulster), Ruadhan Quinn (Old Crescent RFC/Munster), Brian Gleeson (Garryowen FC/Munster). Replacements used: Fiachna Barrett (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht) for Foxe (57 mins), Diarmuid Mangan (UCD RFC/Leinster) for McNabney (59), Evan O'Connell (UL Bohemians RFC/Munster) for Irvine (67), Rory Telfer (Queen's University Belfast RFC/Ulster) for Osborne (71), Jack Oliver (Garryowen FC/Munster) for Gunne, Danny Sheahan (UCC RFC/Munster) for G McCarthy (both 72), Harry West (Buccaneers RFC/Connacht) for Prendergast (75), Irvine for Quinn, George Morris (Lansdowne FC/Leinster) for P McCarthy (both 78).

AUSTRALIA U-20: Mason Gordon (Melbourne Rebels/Wests Bulldogs); Tim Ryan (QLD Reds/Brothers Rugby Club), Henry O'Donnell (NSW Waratahs/Northern Suburbs), David Vaihu (Melbourne Rebels/Wests Bulldogs), Darby Lancaster (Melbourne Rebels/Eastern Suburbs); Jack Bowen (NSW Waratahs/Eastern Suburbs), Teddy Wilson (NSW Waratahs/Eastern Suburbs) (capt); Jack Barrett (NSW Waratahs/Randwick), Max Craig (QLD Reds/Easts Tigers), Massimo De Lutiis (ACT Brumbies/Western District Lions), Jhy Legg (Western Force/Wests Scarborough), Daniel Maiava-Tapusoa (Melbourne Rebels/Wests Bulldogs), Lachlan Hooper (ACT Brumbies/Vikings Rugby), Ned Slack-Smith (Western Force/Palmyra Rugby Union Club), John Bryant (QLD Reds/Souths Magpies). Replacements used: Nick Bloomfield (QLD Reds/Easts Tigers) for De Lutiis (37 mins), Taj Annan (QLD Reds/Souths Magpies) for O'Donnell (57), Harrison Usher (QLD Reds/Bond University) for Barrett, Liam Bowron (ACT Brumbies/Canberra Royals) for Craig (both 64), Leafi Heka Talataina (Melbourne Rebels/Endeavour Hills) for Bryant (65), Toby Macpherson (ACT Brumbies/Uni-Norths Owls) for Legg (72), Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (QLD Reds/Souths Magpies) for Bowen (74). Not used: Klayton Thorn (ACT Brumbies/Gungahlin Eagles).

REFEREE: Angus Mabey (New Zealand)