Ireland U20s 24-19 Fiji U20s

Ireland survived an almighty scare from Fiji at the Junior World Championship in Kutaisi, Georgia, to claim their second win of the tournament.

Having finished third in Pool C, Andrew Browne’s side were up against a team they have never lost to at the age grade, but at the end were left clinging on for a 24-19 win in a game that saw five yellow cards, two for the men in green.

The result means Ireland take on Italy next Saturday in their final outing as they aim to finish ninth overall.

In sticky conditions, it was Ireland that struck first, Daniel Ryan with a brilliant induvial effort for his fifth try of the tournament.

Diarmaid O’Connell’s 22nd minute try from the base of the scrum was sandwiched by Fiji efforts that ensured the islanders trailed 14-12 at the interval, while Ireland were down to 14 temporarily when second row Joe Finn was sin-binned for a high tackle.

Munster’s James O’Leary crossed three minutes after the resumption to extend the lead to 21-10. It appeared that Ireland would kick for home, with a couple of Irish tries ruled out on review, while their opponents lost two players to the sinbin.

The underdogs, who got their first win in this tournament in 14 years when they beat Spain in the pool stage, refused however to throw in the towel.

A converted try made it a two-point game, though Daniel Green’s 77th-minute penalty gave Ireland more of a buffer coming down the stretch.

When Irish replacement Harry Waters was yellow carded late on, and Fiji kicked the corner, Ireland looked in real danger of losing.

In the final play however, Fiji were pinged for an infringement on a five-metre lineout as Ireland held on.

Scorers

Ireland tries: Daniel Ryan, Diarmaid O’Connell, James O’Leary

Cons: Daniel Green (3)

Pen: Daniel Green (1)

Fiji tries: Isikeli Bari, Sailosi Taka, Apete Rokosuka

Cons: Tevita Ledua, Netani Lesimaikimatuku

Ireland: Charlie Molony; Johnny O’Sullivan, Jack Deegan, James O’Leary, Daniel Ryan; Daniel Green, Christopher Barrett; Max Doyle, Duinn Maguire, Blake McClean; Joe Finn, Donnacha McGuire; Josh Neill (capt), Alex Lautsou, Diarmaid O’Connell.

Replacements: Rian Handley, Adam Cooper, Jamie Conway, Sean Walsh, Charlie Keane, Luke Coffey, Sean Walsh, Harry Waters.