20-6 down after 45 minutes.
Most sides would have wilted but Nigel Carolan’s Ireland U20s side are made of sterner stuff and kept England’s U20s to a pointless final 35 minutes as they recorded an incredible comeback in Newcastle.
Captain James Ryan got the fightback underway as he sneaked over from the openside of a maul to make it a nine-point game.
Ireland’s second try soon followed as Matt Byrne touched down in the corner for a try that was sublimely converted.
The momentum was clearly with the away side and Ireland took the lead for the first time when Andrew Porter gave them a 23-20 advantage.
The nail was hammered into the coffin when Stan South was sent off for dangerous play and Brett Connon made no mistake with the penalty as Ireland handed England’s U20s their first home defeat since 2010.
And the internet was left amazed by the gutsy comeback.
Great comeback in progress by Ireland u20s v England on Sky Sports 3.
— Mucker (@graememccoy) February 26, 2016
https://twitter.com/Marty__8/status/703307222672130048
Hell of a comeback win from the Ireland U20s to beat England with a great brand of rugby. Offload from James Ryan for try was special.
— Emmet Riordan (@emmetrd) February 26, 2016
https://twitter.com/jamie_stinson/status/703307538813599744
Fantastic win & comeback from Ireland U20s tonight! Eng 20 Ire 26 #ENGvIRE #ShoulderToShoulder
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) February 26, 2016
Great turnaround from the Ireland U20s from 20-6 down. Sky commentary were chocking with rage during it.
— Rob McNick (@rob_mcnicholas) February 26, 2016
Congratulations @pwcireland Ireland U20s!!! What an amazing result against @EnglandRugby 26-20 #ShoulderToShoulder
— Brenda O'Sullivan (@os_brenda) February 26, 2016
https://twitter.com/pbenson/status/703307445062467585
What a win for Irish u20s.. 20-6 down at h/t and won 26-20.. Great win.. And 3 summerhill lads start too #Ireland #bigwin
— Declan Reidy (@ReidyDeclan) February 26, 2016
Super comeback win for Ireland U20s. 26-20. Nigel Carolan was due some sort of win this season
— ciarán lennon (@ciaranlennon) February 26, 2016
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