DIAR TO DREAM

Gritty, battling Ireland gaining belief they can win the tournament

- DEREK FOLEY

IRELAND continue to look potential 2023 U20 Rugby World Cup contenders following a gitty, deserved, bonus-point win over Australia.

The bonus point, thanks to an injury time Diarmuid Mangan touchdown, came as something of a relief too as their Pool B, with England and Fiji alongside, continues to shape up as a potential pool of death.

As it was No8 Brian Gleeson and tight-head Paddy McCarthy were simply sensational on both sides of the ball, turning up in attack and defence, key components of a rock solid second-half scrum.

Sam Prendergast's ability to keep Ireland on the front-foot, choosing between short and long passing options is remarkable.

While his on-the-spot decisions, when and what type of kick is needed, is varied and difficult to second guess.

There remains the frustration with his place-kicking as, once again, there were points left on the pitch.

Charlie Irvine, James Nicholson, Fintan Gunne and Gus McCarthy also deserve mention in dispatches putting in huge shifts as full-back, wing, scrum-half and hooker respectively.

Disappointingly Ruadhan Quinn who also looked the part muscling up with Gleeson in the back-row was taken from the field concussed near the end.

It was an unfortunate clash with the tackler also having to be removed but deemed accidental by the referee, adjudging both players had dipped their heads.

Quinn is likely to miss the next two games.

"I thought we managed the game really well in the second-half," said coach Richie Murphy, "playing the ball into corners, getting the pressure on.

"The scrum was really strong and obviously our maul was dominant.