AS ANTICIPATED, the World Rugby Under-20 Championship Final at Cape Town’s Athlone Stadium on Friday next (6pm) will involve Ireland and France.
Ireland extended their unbeaten run to an impressive 11 matches with a routine defeat of hosts South Africa (12-31) while France easily had the measure of England, with a 52-31 scoreline.
For Ireland it will be a first final appearance since losing to England back in 2016, while France are seeking to win the championship for the third time on the trot.
On Sunday, Garryowen’s in-form number 8 Brian Gleeson, who was a very deserving recipient of player-of-the-match, was among the try scorers for Ireland in a team that also included the ever-influential Ruadhán Quinn of Old Crescent, while Evan O’Connell of UL Bohemian impressed as a second-half replacement.
Garryowen pair Max Clein and Jack Oliver are also part of the Ireland squad.
The side is captained by Gus McCarthy of UCD/Leinster.
The final will be shown live on Virgin Media Two.
