See what happens when I build this team up – they go and get walloped! Unfortunately a big, physical and pacey English side were just too much for Ireland at this stage of the competition.

England handed it to Ireland in some style running in four converted tries and kicking two penalties in a one-sided first half.

England’s tries came from Harry Sloan, Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, Howard Packman and Tom Woolstencroft. Out half Billy Burns converted all four to add to two penalties.

Ireland’s only response was an eighteenth minute penalty from Ross Byrne with the teams turning round with Ireland trailing 34 – 3.

England eased off and Ireland found a bit more in the second half, scoring two tries to the delight of the partisan crowd.

England’s Packman kept the scoreboard ticking over with an early drop goal but Gary Ringrose was first to touch down chasing a well weighted grubber from Byrne to score under the posts after 49 minutes. Byrne added the extras.

Despite England scoring their fifth try, through Gus Jones, shortly after, the Irish youngsters showed some grit in battling away to outscore England in the second half with Alex Wootton finishing off a nice move to grab Ireland’s second try on the 67th minute to take the score to 42 – 15.

Ireland’s scrum improved dramatically in the final quarter and Ulster’s Frankie Taggart showed well in the loose in the closing minutes but it was England who finished on top with their pressure on the Ireland line leading to a last minute yellow card for a frustrated Cian Kelleher.

England had no time to take advantage and the game ended with no further score.

Final Score: England 42 Ireland 15. 

ENGLAND U20: Aaron Morris, Howard Packman, Nick Tompkins, Harry Sloan, Nathan Earle, Billy Burns, Henry Taylor, Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, Tom Woolstencroft, Paul Hill, Maro Itoje (C), Charlie Ewels, Ross Moriarty, Gus Jones, James Chisholm. Replacements: Jack Walker, Alex Lundberg, Harry Rudkin, Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Joel Conlon, Callum Braley, Sam Olver, Henry Purdy.

IRELAND U20: Cian Kelleher, Ciaran Gaffney, Garry Ringrose, Dan Goggin, Alex Wootton, Ross Byrne, Nick McCarthy, Peter Dooley, Max Abbott, Rory Burke, Stephen Gardiner, Ross Molony, Peadar Timmins, Frankie Taggart, Jack O’Donoghue (C). Replacements: Dylan Donnellan, Denis Coulson, Oisin Heffernan, Darragh Moloney, Rory Moloney, Ryan Foley, Conor McKeon, Harrison Brewer.

Ireland now face hosts New Zealand in the 3rd place play off at Eden Park on Friday morning. KO 6:05 am UK/IRE.