Munster Rugby players eye World Cup glory with Ireland U20s

THE Ireland U20 side will seek to win the World U20 Championship final for the first time when locking horns with Six Nations rivals France in the showpiece final at Athlone City Park Stadium in Cape Town this Friday, 6pm Irish time, Virgin Media Two.

The Ireland U20 side secured their place in the prestigious final for only the second time at this age grade whne easing past hosts South Africa 31-12 in their semi-final on Sunday afternoon last.

U20 Six Nations Grand Slam champions Ireland are now unbeaten in their last 11 fixtures at this level.

Ireland U20s edged past France 33-31 in Cork earlier in the year on the way to winning the U-20 Grand Slam. Reigning World U20 champions France recovered from an early 17-point deficit to win their semi-final showdown with England 52-31 on Sunday last.

Two tries from winger James Nicholson earned U20 Six Nations Grand Slam-winners Ireland their semi-final win over hosts South Africa.

Both Nicholson’s touchdowns were made possible by smart cross-field kicks from Sam Prendergast 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 all 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.

And Ireland took advantage when Junior Springboks’ back-row Jannes Potgieter was yellow-carded for dangerous play. In the 37th minute, Prendergast nudged a cross-field kick into the arms of Nicholson, who had space and time to cross the try-line.

His second try on the hour followed a similar pattern, with Prendergast flicking the ball off his boot for Nicholson to run for the line.

South Africa roared into the second half, Imad Khan scoring under the posts.

Parity, however, lasted no time as Player of the Match Gleeson, of Garryowen FC and Munster Rugby, steam-rollered his way to the try-line from a lineout. Prendergast converted to restore the seven-point advantage.

Five minutes after Nicholson’s second extended their lead, Berman broke through to score their fourth. Five minutes from time, South Africa responded with Coetzee le Roux crashing over from short-range for the final, consolatory score.