Irish stage comeback

UNDER-19 INTERNATIONAL/Ireland Under 19 13 France under 19 12:A JEKYLL AND Hyde performance by Ireland was concluded spectacularly by outhalf Gareth Quinn-McDonagh's injury-time try and conversion at Donnybrook last night.

That looked so unlikely for so long. The French played rugby in classic style, the backs and forwards blurring into one at times, their offloading a treat to witness against a disorganised Ireland side, especially along an unfamiliar three-quarter line.

In the seventh minute, a lineout and maul ended with blindside Baptiste Gabriel planting the first try. Centre Jean Pascal Barraque strolled home for a second in the 26th minute, and outhalf Jean Marc Doussain converted from the right for a 12-0 half-time lead.

One got the strong impression coach Allen Clarke couldn’t wait to get his hands on the Ireland players at half-time. A quick change in attitude was the result.

Ireland raised the tempo to such a level the far bigger French didn’t seem to have the aerobic fitness to go with their muscle.

Shannon outhalf Quinn-McDonagh was the architect of an unlikely comeback. He chipped in with penalties in the 37th and 50th minutes.

Then, he executed a wonderful show-and-go as the clock slipped into injury-time to take a diagonal route to the line. He held his nerve to strike the conversion from the right.

IRELAND: L Marshall; C Gilroy, C Hircock, N McDonald, A Boyle; G Quinn-McDonagh, P du Toit; J Tracy, D Doyle, M Moore, S Hanbidge, D O’Mahony, S Leckey, J Murphy (capt), E McKeon. Replacements: A Kelly for McDonald (h-t); D Gallagher for Leckey (45 mins); M Dolan for du Toit (53 mins); K O’Byrne for Doyle, L Padian for Tracy, P Mullen for Moore, C McDermott for O’Mahony, M McAuley for Marshall (all 63 mins).

FRANCE: L Sirven; J-M Buttin, M O’Connor, J-P Barraque, P Berard; J-M Doussain (capt), I Lesgourges; M Boughanmi, R Colliat, W Desmaison, S Vahaamaina, M Marie, B Gabriel, J Come, K Gimeno. Replacements: C Slimani for Boughanmi (31 mins); W Demotte for Vahaamaina (h-t); G Galan for Gimeno (51 mins); A Ortega for Berard (58 mins); S Barry for Buttin (59 mins).

Referee: D Phillips (IRFU).