Ireland extended their imperious start to the Under-20s Six Nations as they beat England 39-21 in an exhilarating game at Franklin’s Gardens.
The visitors were in ruthless form as the two unbeaten sides in the competition met in Northampton, running in six tries and showing the sort of form that saw them crowned 2019 Grand Slam champions.
England rallied to score three tries of their own, but they were unable to halt the resurgent boys in green who now sit six points clear at the summit of the table.
It was a fluent start from Noel McNamara’s side, who played at a rapid early tempo to craft several openings and enjoy a period of pressure on England’s five-metre line.
And their 80 per cent possession almost came to fruition with a try on just five minutes, before the hosts were penalised for their ill-discipline and fly-half Jack Crowley slotted the resulting penalty.
The Red Rose responded, however, using their set-piece productively as No. 8 Rusiate Tuima bulldozed his way through a series of tackles to advance towards the line.
And second row George Hammond finished the job, diving over from close range to put the home side in front.
But Ireland soon resumed their early dominance, shifting the play out wide where blindside flanker Alex Soroka was able to just ground the ball despite some defiant England defending.
The whirlwind start continued on 26 minutes, when a moment of brilliance from wing Ethan McIlroy created the visitors’ second.
The wide man produced a stunning offload when heading into touch to set up No. 12 Hayden Hyde, who completed the job with ease to extend Ireland’s advantage.
And the away side had their third try under ten minutes later, when a searing break down the right-hand-side was finished by the imposing Thomas Ahern to open up daylight between the sides.
It was soon four on the cusp of half-time, as McIlroy turned scorer when clinically dotting down after a fine move from the resurgent men in green.
England started the second half brightly, finding their rhythm quickly and narrowing the deficit just seven minutes after the break.
A clever line from Charlie Watson and then more good work from Tuima allowed lock Hugh Tizard to score, giving the hosts hopes with just over half an hour remaining.
But the topsy-turvy contest took a further turn just five minutes later, when Ireland had their fifth after a thrilling break down the left was finished by replacement Max O’Reilly.
England cut the deficit to just two tries once again on 55 minutes, when Theo Dan bundled over after Ireland failed to deal with the hosts’ powerful rolling maul.
But the visitors soon ran in their sixth when Ahern dotted down his second of the game after a brilliant solo run from full-back Oran McNulty.
