Ireland XV 14-52 England 'A'
A tough 24 hours for Irish rugby continued as the XV team lost 52-14 to England 'A' in their representative fixture at Thomond Park.
After Thursday’s Six Nations thrashing at the hands of France, this was another tough night with England running in eight tries.
With Ireland head coach Andy Farrell watching on after landing back from Paris, it was England who took control early on with Ethan Roots powering over in the ninth minute after intense pressure on the Irish line.
Billy Searle added another try for the visitors but Ireland responded in the 24th minute when Brian Gleeson just about reached the line - Ciaran Frawley successfully converting.
Ollie Hassell-Collins finished off a fine team move in the corner as England grabbed their third try and Harry Randall added a fourth in the 36th minute.
Ireland still had time to respond before the break, Joshua Kenny profiting after an English handling error, Frawley again successful with the conversion, to leave the home side 24-14 behind at the turnaround.
The hosts failed to trouble the scoreboard in the second half though with England running in a series of tries.
George Kloska got the first of those before Hassell-Collins got his second of the night.
Cathal Forde had an Irish try struck off for a knock-on in the build-up, before Cadan Murley and Roots got over before the finish.
Watch France v Ireland in the Under-20 Six Nations on Saturday from 7.50pm on the RTÉ News Channel and RTÉ Player
