IRELAND’S Under‑20s delivered a statement of intent in this season’s Six Nations Championship, outmuscling England 31–21 in a performance head coach Andrew Browne described as a triumph of discipline, mentality and sheer willpower.
Tries from Lee Fitzpatrick, Josh Neill, Daniel Ryan and Noah Byrne, all converted by the flawless boot of Tom Wood, set the platform, before Charlie O’Shea’s last‑gasp penalty slammed the door on any English hopes of a late twist.
The hosts stayed in the fight with converted scores from George Pearson, Connor Treacey and Nick Lilley, but this was Ireland’s night at Bath’s Recreation Ground.
For Browne, the victory was the response he had demanded after a bruising loss to France in the opening.
“Very hard to sum that one up,” he admitted afterwards. “Just really good fight throughout the boys, and I thought some of the accuracy within it was better. I thought some of the stuff we went after pre‑game around our discipline – because that was an issue against France and that was an issue against Italy – I thought that was miles better.”
Ireland’s renewed edge was obvious from the opening whistle. Fitzpatrick’s early finish settled nerves, and when Neill powered over after a sustained spell of pressure, the visitors looked transformed – sharper, hungrier and far more cohesive than in previous rounds.
However, Browne insisted the performance didn’t surprise those inside the Irish camp.
“I think we knew we had this in us,” he said. “I don’t think we played to our potential last week and even losing to France by 29 points, I think we knew we were so much better than that scoreline suggested. So we knew within our team, within our circle, we knew we were capable of doing this.”
England – who had won their opening two games against Wales and Scotland – rallied, as they always do, but Ryan’s try after the break kept Ireland in control. Still, Browne sensed his side needed more than structure, they needed fire. And so half‑time became a turning point.
“We upped the emotional side of things at half‑time,” he added. “We said that it wasn’t good enough to be also‑rans. It wasn’t good enough to come to England, put in a good performance, but ultimately lose and get a pat on the back for it. That’s not what we want. So we challenged them that a win was the only thing that we wanted from this game and anything less would be a failure.”
The players responded with a ferocity that certainly rattled England. The defining moment, according to Browne, came late on: two exhausted Irish props, still scrummaging after 66 relentless minutes, earning a crucial penalty that set up Byrne’s finish in the corner.
“What epitomised us today was our two props going for 66 minutes and getting that scrum penalty,” Browne said. “Them coming off the pitch crawling off nearly because of the effort they put in – that epitomises everyone and the mindset and mentality we had tonight.”
Now Wales and Scotland await in the final two rounds. Browne expects nothing easy – praising Wales’ strength up front and dangerous backs, and admitting surprise at Scotland’s recent results.
But for one evening in the Roman city, Ireland’s young guns certainly made their point.
