In an intense match at the Dublin Field of Queen’s University Belfast, the Ireland Under-19s were narrowly defeated 28-26 against the France Under-20 Development team. Coming off their previous game against England, the French demonstrated their advantage of having more game-time, punctuated by successful phases where they managed a couple of tries in each half.
The Irish, directed by coach Kieran Hallett and spearheaded by hooker Mikey Yarr, produced several positive moments that they can build upon for their next match, set to occur at Templeville Road at 2:30 on Sunday.
The match started strong for Ireland as Ciaran Mangan, a swift winger, opened the scoring, marking the first try after successfully intercepting and following his kick. France quickly returned two converted tries by Mathis Boureau d’Argonne and Geoffrey Malaterre, which allowed them to steal the lead, concluding the first half with a 14-5 score.
In the third quarter, Ireland retaliated, with UCC number eight Éanna McCarthy charging over the line, which aided in Niall Smyth, the tighthead prop, scoring a try, bringing the score to 19-14 in favour of Ireland.
The French, however, increased the gap by nine points with two tries from substitutes Bartholomé Sanson and Mathis Ibo in the remaining minutes of the game. Henry Walker, a substitute hooker who recently represented Ireland in the U-20 Six Nations, ensured parity in the try-count, but Ireland’s efforts for a last-minute win were fruitless.
The Irish showcase of attacking prowess was prominent early in the match, as Gene O’Leary Kareem managed to block a French kick and swiftly pass to Oisin Minogue thanks to the loose ball. Despite Todd Lawlor’s support, his kick attempt was stopped by Ibo.
The competition at the start was fierce with evenly matched scrums, but it was Conor Kennelly from CBC Cork who was successful in interrupting a French lineout in the eighth minute. Rigid defences from both sides caused each team to rely on wide kicks from the external backs.
A surging streak through defensive lines by fullback Lawlor, courtesy of a well-calculated pass from Evan Moynihan set the stage for Mangan to spot an exceptional opportunity. Using a penalty advantage, he sent a precision-weighted 35-metre kick and quickly followed up to touch down, marking the first score of the match.
The French Rugby squad initially had a taste of victory when their opposing team made a blunder, culminating in a penalty. This offered Yanis Lux an opportunity but it was Boureau d’Argonne who managed to score a try from Simon Daroque’s swift tap feed.
Aurélien Barreau succeeded in the conversion and added bonus points to Malaterre’s score, a mere minutes later. Barreau intercepted a kick from Wisniewski and regained control of the ball just outside the Irish 10-metre line, securing a 14-5 lead for France.
Tides turned for the hosts, as an opening was created for Michael Foy by scrumhalf Will Wootton, shifting the game’s momentum. Two penalties early in the second half offered Ireland an opportunity to gain ground. Wisniewski utilised a kick to touch to its maximum effect, leading to McCarthy scoring from close range after an assist by Billy Bohan. Wisniewski’s effective conversion meant an additional seven points, putting them in a better position in the 54th minute.
McCarthy was able to intercept a pass from Barreau but was stopped short, enabling tighthead Smyth to score, leaving Ireland in the lead by five points (19-14). However, Sanson used the margin to his advantage and scored just left of the posts, with Pacome successfully converting, swinging the lead back to France (21-19).
An extensive scrum move facilitated Ibo in getting past Andre Ryan’s tackle and scoring from a distance. Pacome succeeded in converting, proving to be a decisive move for the French. In response, Walker took charge of a powerful maul, leading to a series of carries and a penalty. The Ulster Academy front-rower, supported by Emmet Calvey, managed to score.
With only four minutes left, replacement player Dylan Hicks made a successful conversion. Unfortunately for the hosts, they were unable to muster another scoring chance, resulting in a French victory. A tantalising rematch in Dublin is scheduled for the coming weekend.
The under-19 rugby team from Ireland comprises players from various clubs, colleges, and provinces, all providing a mix of talent and resilience. The squad includes Todd Lawlor from Newbridge College/Leinster and Andre Ryan from Belvedere College/Leinster. From PBC Cork/Munster comes Gene O’Leary Kareem, while St. Mary’s College/Leinster brings us Evan Moynihan and Ciaran Mangan is from Newbridge College/Leinster. Sam Wisniewski represents Clontarf FC/Leinster and Will Wootton is from Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby. Billy Bohan is another player from Newbridge College/Leinster and Mikey Yarr, who is the captain, comes from Lansdowne FC/Leinster. Other members from Leinster are Niall Smyth and Tommy Butler, both from Blackrock College, whereas CBC Cork/Munster contributes Conor Kennelly and Michael Foy to the team. Also in the team are Oisin Minogue from St. Munchin’s College/Munster and Éanna McCarthy from UCC RFC/Munster.
The reserve players include Henry Walker from Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster, Emmet Calvey from Shannon RFC/Munster, and Alex Mullan from Blackrock College RFC/Leinster. Mahon Ronan represents St. Mary’s Diocesan School Drogheda/Boyne RFC/Leinster and Aaron O’Brien, as well as Zack Hopkins, are from St. Mary’s College/Leinster. Other reserves are Dylan Hicks from Garryowen FC/Munster, Clark Logan from Coleraine Grammar School/Ulster, Jonny Scott from Banbridge RFC/Ulster, Jack Angulo from Blackrock College/Leinster, and last but not least, David Walsh from St. Michael’s College/Leinster.
The French U-20 team is benefitting from the development of Ugo Pacome from US Colomiers, who is also the captain, Yannick Lodjro from Stade Français Paris, Clément Barthes from Castres Olympique, Diego Jurd from Stade Rochelais, and Mathis Ibo from Stade Français Paris. Other team members include Aurélien Barreau from Montpellier HR and Simon Daroque from Stade Toulousain. They are reinforced by Loïc Varenne from Stade Toulousain, Baptiste Narmand from Lyon OU, Mathis Boureau d’Argonne from Racing 92, Charles Kante Samba from Stade Rochelais, Yanis Lux from Stade Français Paris, Antoine Deliance from Lyon OU, Geoffrey Malaterre from CA Brive Corrèze, and Jean-Jacques Cassio from Stade Montois.
Substitute players in position include Quentin Algay from CA Brive Corrèze, Sascha Mistrulli from FC Grenoble, Thomas Marceline from Lyon OU, Giani Callegari from US Carcassonne, Bartholomé Sanson from Lyon OU, Rémi Loop from Castres Olympique, Antoine Chalus-Cercy from AS Clermont Auvergne, Thibaut Motassi from Stade Français Paris, Titoan Rouvelet from Montpellier HR, Johan Wasserman from USO Nevers, and Oliver Cowie from RC Toulon.