...The Irish Under-18 Club side line up for the anthems...

The Irish team were just three minutes away from achieving what would have been a remarkable and well deserved victory against the hot favourites and host nation, France. Instead the Irish team suffered the heartache of losing by 4-3 in a 'soccer style' penalty shoot-out.

...Defending the line against a French attack...

Nonetheless, their performances in the championship, which saw them defeat Georgia 27-0, beat a bigger England side 10-7 and secure a 8-8 draw with the best that France could produce, set down a marker for the age group.

...Wrestling for the ball...

It was a wonderful advertisement of everything that is good about Youth rugby. The majority of the squad of 29 players who represented Ireland this season - three were injured in the 10 days prior to travelling to France - have been developed in clubs where many of them have been playing from their mini rugby days.

...The IRFU's John Callaghan cheers on the team...

The work of the many volunteers in the clubs is to be congratulated and along with the effort put in by the players, they have ensured that this age group will play at a higher seeding in the 2008 championship. Well done to all involved from IrishRugby.ie.