Seabrook score in vain as Under-20s go down
GLOUCESTER’S Tom Seabrook scored a try as England Under-20s lost their opening game of the World Rugby Championship, beaten 42-26 by Ireland in Sante Fe, Argentina.
Seabrook was joined in the side by fellow Cherry & Whites Olly Adkins and Aaron Hinkley, but England trailed by a point at half-time despite Ollie Sleightholme’s early try and eight points from the boot of Manu Vunipola, Ireland responded with converted scores from Jake Flannery, and Stewart Moore.
A second try for Sleightholme and one for Seabrook got England back in front but Ireland sealed victory with two converted David Mccann tries and one each for Ben Healy and John Hodnett.
The side will next take on Italy on Saturday (7.30pm BST) in Sante Fe before ending their Pool B campaign against Australia on June 12.
England had an early lead, with Vunipola sending over a penalty inside five minutes, before Sleightholme extended the score with a try in the corner, taking advantage of an overlap on the right wing.
Jake Flannery jinked his way over under the posts from close range after a period of Ireland pressure, converting his own score.
Vunipola sent over a second penalty for a six-point lead but Ireland responded with Moore dotting down and Flannery converting for 14-13.
England lost Hinkley for 10 minutes for a dangerous tackle but they held out during that period and soon had the lead with a third penalty for Vunipola.
A second try came soon after with Sleightholme collecting Fraser Dingwall’s crossfield kick to dive over in the corner and a 21-14 lead.
However, momentum swung back Ireland’s way with Vunipola yellow carded for a high tackle and from the resulting lineout and drive Mccann bundled over with the conversion levelling the score.
Seabrook flew over on the left wing for a third England try, courtesy of a superb offload from Hinkley to release his Gloucester team-mate.
Mccann had a second try and a fourth for Ireland as they sealed the bonus point with Healy’s conversion also giving them a 28-26 lead.
Alfie Barbeary was red carded for an illegal tackle and soon after Ireland had a fifth try through Healy which he also converted.
Hodnett’s late try added further gloss as Ireland sealed victory.
» OLD Patesians youngster Tom Knight got on the scoresheet in both games as England Counties Under-20s triumphed in Romania.
The scrum half scored the first try of their tour as they beat Romania 29-6 in the first game and he went over again as they won 41-22 in the second encounter, both played at Bucharest’s Olimpia Stadium.
Knight, who is the son of former Cheltenham Town favourite Keith Knight, was the only South West player in the squad for the tour.