England Under-20s showed their fighting qualities as they came from behind to beat Ireland 20-15 in the IRB Junior World Championships.
Second-half tries seal superb fightback
England Under-20s showed their fighting qualities as they came from behind to beat Ireland 20-15 in the IRB Junior World Championships.
England had trailed 15-6 in difficult conditions at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch, but they rallied in the final quarter to secure their second successive win in Pool B.
A penalty try and an effort from Kyle Sinckler meant England will now face a crunch tie with South Africa on Tuesday.
JJ Hanrahan crossed for the opening try for Ireland before Kieran Marmion dived over with England down to 13 men after George Merrick and Will Addison had been sin-binned. Hanrahan added a conversion and penalty to rub salt into the wounds.
Tom Heathcote slotted over two penalties for England to keep them in touch in the first half before the fightback began.
Focus
With the England pack taking control in the muddy conditions, they were first awarded a penalty score - with Irish replacement Shane Buckley shown a yellow card.
Heathcote converted and then added the extras as Sinckler, a try scorer against Italy in the opening round of games, crashed over.
Captain Ryan Mills said: "It was really tough out there. Obviously the conditions weren't great but it was the same for both sides and Ireland really took the game to us.
"Full credit to them, they've played us on the back of beating South Africa in what was a physical Test match and gave us a really good match.
"It probably wasn't the most spectacular to watch but we got the result we needed and our focus now switches to South Africa on Tuesday."
Meanwhile France ended
Scotland's hopes of progressing as they recorded a 30-29 victory.
