The Irish Under-21 rugby team have lost their opening game of the SANZAR Under-21 rugby tournament to England. Ireland went down 15-10 to their opponents at the Sydney Showgrounds in Australia but could take some heart from their second-half performance when they kept the English scoreless.
The Irish trailed 15-3 at half-time, their only score of that opening period coming from a successful Jeremy Staunton penalty kick. However, in the second half, Des Dillon touched down and Jeremy Staunton converted to reduce the deficit somewhat.
Second row forward Matthew McCullough of Dublin University has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament after he suffered an ankle ligament injury during the game. His place in the squad will now be taken up by Alan Maher, also of Dublin University. Ireland's next match in the tournament is against Argentina on Saturday.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
