Munster Rugby players inspire Ireland U20s to crucial win over Australia U20s

IRELAND U20s boosted their hopes of reaching the semi-final stages of the U20 World Championship when scoring a 30-10 bonus point victory over Australia U20 in South Africa on Thursday morning.

A late try from Diarmuid Mangan, which was converted by Limerick scrum-half Jack Oliver, of Garrywen FC and Munster, ensured Ireland took a maximum five point haul from the game which was played in wet conditions in Paarl.

Earlier, powerful Munster back-row Brian Gleeson, also of Garryowen FC, scored his fifth try for Ireland U20s in just seven U20 appearances for his country this season.

Gus McCarthy and James Nicholson also scored tries for Ireland who led the Australians 11-10 at half-time.

Ireland U20s had earlier played out a thrilling high scoring draw with England U20s in their opening pool fixture on Saturday last.

Ireland u20s face Fiji in their final pool fixture on Tuesday next at 12noon.

Ireland U20s v Australia U20s 
15. Henry McErlean (Terenure/Leinster)
14. Andrew Osborne (Naas/Leinster)
13. Hugh Gavin (Galwegians/Connacht)
12. John Devine (Corinthians/Connacht)
11. James Nicholson (UCD/Leinster)
10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)
9. Fintan Gunne (Terenure/Leinster)

1. Paddy McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)
2. Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster)(captain)
3. Ronan Foxe (Old Belvedere/Leinster)*
4. Charlie Irvine (Queen’s University/Ulster)
5. Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD/Leinster)
6. James McNabney (Ballymena/Ulster)
7. Ruadhán Quinn (Old Crescent/Munster)
8. Brian Gleeson (Garryowen/Munster)

Replacements:

16. Danny Sheahan (UCC/Munster)
17. George Morris (Lansdowne/Leinster)
18. Fiachna Barrett (Corinthians/Connacht)
19. Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemians/Munster)
20. Diarmuid Mangan (UCD/Leinster)
21. Jack Oliver (Garryowen/Munster)
22. Harry West (Buccaneers/Connacht)
23. Rory Telfer (Queen’s University/Ulster).