Ireland's Under 21 side fell to a disappointing 28-23 defeat to their English counterparts at Coventry this evening. Bath's rookie centre Alex Crockett outshone his more illustrious clubmates Olly Barkley and Tom Voyce and capped a mature performance with a try in each half, the first of them after breaking two tackles and sprinting 40 metres through the Irish defence.
Despite Crockett's contribution, England took a long time to subdue the visitors who were lively and committed and played a full part in a fast and free flowing contest. England got little change out of a combative Irish pack and with better handling in the three-quarters Ireland might have avoided a second consecutive narrow defeat at this level.
Ireland twice took the lead through Stephen Keogh, the lock driving over from close range for the first before galloping clear after an incisive break from scrum-half Brian O'Riordan for his second touchdown. But they could not win enough ball in the final quarter to secure victory.
Hooker Kevin Corrigan struggled to find his lineout jumpers and England's dangerous backs clicked again to secure the win. Sustained pressure created the overlap for Crockett to squeeze over for his second try and England's forwards then retained possession superbly, sucked in the Irish defence and Gloucester centre James Simpson-Daniel cut through with a cleverly angled run for the decisive score.
Fly-half Barkley contributed the other 13 points with three penalties and two conversions, but it was his eye for an opening in attack and tactical kicking to relieve pressure, that condemned Ireland to defeat.
Filed by Shane Murray
