Resolute Ireland storm into World U20 Championship rugby final

IRELAND U20s powered their way into this Friday's World Rugby U-20 Championship final, following a resilient 31-12 semi-final win over hosts South Africa U20s at Athlone Sports Stadium, on Sunday afternoon.

Second half tries from Munster Rugby and Garryowen FC back-rower Brian Gleeson, James Nicholson and replacement Sam Berman sent the Ireland Under-20s through to their second ever final at this level.

Next Friday's final at Athlone Sports Stadium (kick-off 6pm Irish time) will be an all-European clash - the fourth such fixture since 2013. Ireland's final opponents will be Six Nations rivals France.

Six Nations champions Ireland produced a patient and mature display to extend their unbeaten run to 11 games and book their place in the final of the junior World Cup for the first time in seven seasons.

James Nicholson's two tries were made possible by smart cross-field kicks from out-half Sam Prendergast, as consistent and organised Ireland eased into next week’s final after weathering an early South African storm.

Until his first, on 37 minutes, Ireland had had to dig deep defensively as South Africa, roared on by the home crowd, played the vast majority of the early rugby.

However, for all their territory and possession – the Junior Springboks spent 64 per cent of the first period in Irish territory, and broke into their 22 time and again – they could not make their early advantage count as the solid Irish defence soaked up the pressure.

Nicholson and Imad Khan traded tries each side of half-time, with Ireland, who had Munster's Ruadhan Quinn impressing in the back-row, did well to lead 7-0 at the break. But they then went up a couple of gears, particularly in their forward play.

Out-half Prendergast landed all five of his place-kicks, and his cross-field deliveries set up Nicholson's two scores. Charging through off a lineout, back-row Gleeson brilliantly burst past three defenders to score in the 50th minute.

Berman straightened up an attack and used a strong fend to complete Ireland's four-try haul.

Out-half Prendergast tagged on a penalty before Coetzee le Roux claimed a consolation try for the home side.

Limerick second-row Evan O'Connell, of UL-Bohemian RFC and Munster Rugby, made a telling contribution to the win when introduced as a second half replacement in the game. 

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), Diarmuid Mangan (UCD RFC/Leinster), Ruadhan Quinn (Old Crescent RFC/Munster), Brian Gleeson (Garryowen FC/Munster). Replacements: Danny Sheahan (UCC RFC/Munster), George Hadden (Clontarf FC/Leinster), Fiachna Barrett (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht), Evan O'Connell (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), Dan Barron (Dublin University FC/Leinster), Oscar Cawley (Naas RFC/Leinster), Matthew Lynch (Dublin University FC/Leinster), Sam Berman (Dublin University FC/Leinster).