Rugby: Wallace puts on late show for victory

Ireland Under-21 28 England Under-21 27

Ireland unexpectedly extended their sequence of victories to three in the series of under-21 matches against England, by winning a contest of extraordinary vigour and excitement at Greystones, near Dublin, yesterday with a try by their No 8, David Wallace, in the third minute of injury time.

Having beaten the Irish only twice before at this level, England appeared at last to have removed the Indian sign Ireland held over them when, with 15 minutes remaining, Paul Gustard scored England's fourth try to leave Ireland 13 points adrift.

Far from being the signal to accept a third defeat this season, and add further disappointment after heavy losses to France and Wales during the last month, Ireland roused themselves for one final onslaught.

Sustaining the intensity and organised mayhem that passes for creativity throughout their rugby, Ireland improved their self-belief immeasurably when Ryan O'Neill scored a try eight minutes from time.

Had England not squandered so much quality possession earlier in the game, and failed so routinely to convert their chances into scores, they would have been too far out of reach for Ireland to have harboured any notion of victory.

A disbelieving Clive Woodward, England's coach, said: "So often we got through the first line of defence, but didn't put the chances away."

Ireland led 14-8 at the break with Wallace claiming their opening try. Richard Governey kicked two penalties and a dropped goal. England's response was a try by Joe Worsley and a Rob Hitchmough penalty.

Before Wallace eventually left his indelible mark on the game, England scored 19 points without reply with tries by Roy Winters, his replacement Gustard, and prop Chris Horsman and two conversions by Hitchmough. Ultimately it was not enough.

Ireland: Tries Wallace 2, O'Neill; Cons Governey 2; Pens Governey 2. Drop Goal Governey. England: Tries Worsley, Winters, Horsman, Gustard. Cons Hitchmough 2. Pen Hitchmough.

IRELAND U-21: G Dempsey (Terenure Col); R O'Neill (Bedford), S Coulter (Ballymena), G Gannon (St Mary's Col), A Horgan (Cork Const); R Governey (Lansdowne), S Bell (Dungannon, capt); B McConnell (Bristol), C O'Kane (Heriot's), L Johnston (Ballynahinch), R Sheriff (Shannon), J Gardiner (Instonians), L Cullen (Blackrock), D Watt (Edinburgh Univ), D Wallace (Garryowen). Replacements: E McCormack (St Mary's Coll) for Bell, 72; E Farrell (Blackrock) for Gannon, 43; F Sheahan (Univ Coll Cork) for O'Kane 57; A McSweeney (Univ Coll Cork) for McConnell, 66; P Coyle (St Mary's Col) for Johnston, 66.

ENGLAND U-21: R Hitchmough (Orrell); T Beim (Sale), J Ewens, M Perry (both Bath), R Lloyd (Leicester); P Sampson (Wasps), J O'Reilly (Sale); M Worsley (Orrell), A Long, C Horsman (both Bath), C Murphy (West Hartlepool, capt), C Gillies (Bath), E Pearce (Gloucester), J Worsley (Wasps), R Winters (Bedford). Replacements: M Wood (W Hartlepool) for Beim, 57; P Gustard (Blaydon) for Winters, 57.

Referee: J Dumet (France).