U20s six Nations: Historic win for poweful French outfit over Ireland

By William Bull

Ireland…………… 12pts

Tries: Penalty 40+5, Mangan 80+1

France…………….22pts

Tries: Echegaray 14, Leveque 18, Akrab 33, 52 Conversion: Keletaona 53

Corentin Mezou led the charge with a powerful captain’s performance to earn a first ever French win in Cork.

France full-back Jon Echegaray said: “It was our goal today, to make history, to be the first team to win in Cork, and we hope it won’t be the last.

“We had to stick together and not let go. That’s what we managed to do, we’re happy, we’re bringing home the win.”

Tries from Echegaray and Tom Leveque put the visitors in control and despite losing flanker Noa Traversier to one of their three first-half yellow cards, a Lyam Akrab try extended their lead.

Match Action

The second yellow card came just before half-time when lock Bartholome Sanson slapped the ball from the tail of an Irish maul.

And minutes later, Ireland were gifted a foothold in the game with a penalty try after a TMO review found Echegaray to have deliberately knocked on five metres from the French line as he became the third visiting player to be yellow carded.

While finding themselves down to 12 men at the start of the second half, it was their performance in the opening 40 minutes that set up France’s victory.

Echegaray opened the scoring with a sharp step and finish from close range before a textbook French backline move sent winger Leveque over for their second.

Blindside Traversier was the first to see yellow after an illegal clearout at the breakdown.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, France powered over for their third try through Montpellier hooker Akrab as he finished off a dominant five-metre maul.

France initially appeared to have notched a fourth try as Echegaray released scrum-half Baptiste Tilloles under the posts, but after a TMO review, the score was chalked off.

Moments later, Echegaray joined Samson on the sidelines for his deliberate knock-on as Ireland were awarded their touchdown, to make it 15-7 at the break.

Once restored to their full complement in the second half, France secured their bonus point with another thundering maul, Akrab grabbing his second try before a late consolation score came from Ireland winger Ciaran Mangan as he dotted down in the corner.