Ireland U-20s Floored By France’s Second Half Surge

The Ireland Under-20s’ challenge petered out in Narbonne as France’s second half surge saw them win tonight’s U-20 RBS 6 Nations clash 34-13.

Second rows Peter Claffey and James Ryan both touched down during a physical first half display from Ireland, with Gabriel N'Gandebe's late effort giving the French a 17-13 interval lead.

But the hosts completed dominating the closing 40 minutes as lock Florian Verhaegue bagged a brace of tries and impressive kicker Anthony Belleau finished with 14 points.

It was a second defeat of the 2016 Championship for Nigel Carolan's young side who lost their way during that one-sided second period, as powerful forwards Verhaegue,  Peato Mauvaka, Judicaël Cancoriet and Anthony Jelonch shone for the table toppers.

With a slippery ball and a tricky wind to cope with, a seventh minute ruck penalty allowed Irish number 10 Johnny McPhillips to open the scoring from long range.

Ireland had the lion's share of territory during the opening quarter, probing through McPhillips' boot – albeit quite aimlessly at times – and a couple of neat runs from Conor O'Brien and Hugo Keenan.

However, France's line-speed and defensive solidity cut down the space and Belleau drew the hosts level (3-3) by the midpoint of the half.

Strong running from Belleau and N'Gandebe, either side of a well-executed break and kick chase by Clontarf clubman O'Brien, showed France's ability with ball in hand.

But Ireland's endeavour up front paid dividends with a cracking first try. They turned down a shot at the posts, backing their maul to do further damage and after Ryan broke off for a powerful carry up to the line, fellow lock Claffey shrugged off the first tackler to plunge over from a couple of metres out.

McPhillips missed the conversion and France came storming back, a barnstorming bust from flanker Cancoriet and follow-up offload setting winger N'Gandebe free, but Ryan did brilliantly to hold him up past the posts.

The French forwards made sure they scored from the resulting five-metre scrum, driving Ireland backwards to earn a penalty try which Belleau converted for 10-8.

Ryan's try came barely two minutes later, another lineout maul in the 22 setting up the opportunity and the skipper exploded off the back of the drive to score in decisive fashion. McPhillips' conversion was well struck again, but missed on the far right side.

Crucially, Ireland leaked a second try in the final seconds of the half. France hammered away in the 22, pressing from a maul and scrum before Damien Penaud's pass on the right wing bounced favourably for the waiting N'Gandabe to score. Belleau added an excellent conversion to open up a four-point lead.

France turned the tables on the Irish pack with some tremendous mauling early on the resumption, one particular effort allowing Belleau to make it 20-13 off the kicking tee.

Bulldozing hooker Mauvaka, who made a number of strong carries, set up a long range penalty which Belleau sent narrowly to the right of the posts.

A harsh ruck penalty against Andrew Porter allowed France to remain on the front foot, and as Ireland visibly tired and the French bench made a considerable collective impact, the defensive workload took its toll on Carolan's charges.

As Ireland struggled for possession and territory, France duly wrapped up the result with two tries from Verhaegue either side of the hour mark.

He proved unstoppable from close range in the 57th minute as a series of French pick and goes gained reward. Belleau converted and also added the extras to Verhaegue's second five-pointer, as Ireland's defence around the fringes wilted again.

Despite some positive play from the likes of Conor O'Brien, Cillian Gallagher and replacements Kelvin Brown and Stephen Kerins, Ireland were unable to respond to France's two-try salvo and Brett Connon's penalty kick, which went out on the full, summed up a disappointing night for the visitors. 

TIME LINE: 7 minutes – Ireland penalty: Johnny McPhillips – 0-3; 21 mins – France penalty: Anthony Belleau – 3-3; 27 mins – Ireland try: Peter Claffey – 3-8; conversion: missed by Johnny McPhillips – 3-8; 31 mins – France try: Penalty try – 8-8; conversion: Anthony Belleau – 10-8; 33 mins – Ireland try: James Ryan – 10-13; conversion: missed by Johnny McPhillips – 10-13; 40+2 mins – France try: Gabriel N'Gandebe – 15-13; conversion: Anthony Belleau – 17-13; Half-time – France 17 Ireland 13; 44 mins – France penalty: Anthony Belleau – 20-13; 48 mins – France penalty: missed by Anthony Belleau – 20-13; 57 mins – France try: Florian Verhaegue – 25-13; conversion: Anthony Belleau – 27-13; 63 mins – France try: Florian Verhaegue – 32-13; conversion: Anthony Belleau – 34-13; Full-time – France 34 Ireland 13

Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys (England)