A first-half double from Jude Williams helped England continue their perfect start to the Six Nations U18 Festival as they beat Ireland 24-17.
The Wasps youngster showed his frightening pace out wide with two darting efforts, setting the groundwork for a hard-earned win on home soil.
Ireland pressed them at every turn, however, responding in perfect fashion each time England threatened to put the game out of sight.
Orlando Bailey put England on the board with a well-struck penalty seven minutes into the fray before Chris Cosgrave levelled with a kick of his own after having missed one from wide as Ireland began to grow into the contest.
And just when it looked as though Ireland might make the breakthrough, England forced a timely turnover, Bailey latching on a loose ball before shifting to Jude Williams, who showed jet-heeled pace to chase up his grubber across the line and score despite the attentions of Cian Whooley, with Bailey adding the extras spectacularly.
But Ireland fought back, churning through the phases to set up camp just metres from the England line, Oscar Egan eventually making the telling stretch to the line, before Cosgrave’s conversion got them back on terms.
They weren’t level for long though, as Williams snagged his second of the piece, England working the ball down the line well but for the winger to spot a gap and speed home with half time beckoning, Bailey making it three from three off the tee.
And England extended their lead after the break with a third score, this time Phil Cokanasiga crossing to boost England’s advantage to two scores.
Again, Ireland refused to be beaten, forcing England back and back into last-ditch rearguard action, and the pressure eventually told, Ben Murphy spotting a perfect line from Oisin McCormack, who darted through to get them back in the game, Cosgrave’s conversion cutting the deficit to seven.
But it wasn’t to be for Ireland, as their last-ditch efforts to level were thwarted through stoic England defence, as the hosts set up a showdown with unbeaten France on Sunday, with Ireland closing out their campaign against Scotland.
