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Williams Dumbfounded By Kpoku Red Card As Ireland U20s Fall To England

Williams Dumbfounded By Kpoku Red Card As Ireland U20s Fall To England
Joshua Bell Curran
By Joshua Bell Curran Updated
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The Ireland U20s were served their first home defeat since 2018 by old rivals England tonight, succumbing to a humbling 19-3 loss in round one of the U20s Six Nations.

Any predictions that this would be a one-sided affair were quickly dispelled by Neil Doak's men who were superior in every aspect barring the scoreboard in the opening quarter. Their only blemish coming from an unnecessary breakdown penalty that gave the visitors a 3-0 lead.

Despite England being reduced to 13 men for periods thanks to both a red and yellow card, Ireland could do nothing to make up the difference before heading down the tunnel, adding three of their own, only for England to return the favour. In a mistake-laden half, Ireland went in rueing missed opportunities that should have had them firmly in the driving seat.

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The war of attrition continued well into the second half, both sides trading barbs in the third quarter, but helpless to change the scoreline - Ireland's only opportunity coming through an ambitious penalty attempt from Sam Wisniewski that sailed wide, summing up a messy twenty minutes of rugby defined by mistakes from both sides.

It was England who seemed to be gaining momentum as the clock struck sixty and they took full advantage of it crashing over the whitewash with their dominant maul after 67 minutes making it 16-3. While Ireland had chances of their own, a compilation of handling errors saw the best of them go astray while England once again took the points to make it a 19-3 finish.

READ ALSO: Scouting Report: England U20s Travel To Cork Full Of Power And Experience
READ ALSO: 4 Players To Watch As The Ireland U20s Look To Extend Incredible Six Nations Form

Ireland U20s

30 January 2025; Sam Wisniewski of Ireland holds off the tackle of Nic Allison of England during the U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and England at Virgin Media Park in Cork. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Matt Williams dumbfounded by Kpoku red

In a game where ill-discipline was a leading theme, both sides were shown a yellow card a piece and England were also served a red for Junior Kpoku's shoulder to the head.

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Speaking on Virgin Media, Matt Williams was dumbfounded by the tackle and ill-discipline, calling it 'dumb'.

Very poor discipline. The correct decision by the officials, I know they're young men, but that is such a dumb penalty, dangerous play.

There is no mitigating circumstances, doesn't get his arms up to wrap around the tackle, shoulder to head contact. That's a red card every single day of the week..and the player's got nothing to argue with.

However, despite the clear red card and action of the referee, England were only reduced a man for twenty minutes; owing to World Rugby's new laws which allow another player to replace the red-carded player after twenty minutes, with England being restored after the 35th minute in this case.

While Williams was in little doubt about England's red, he felt Ireland's yellow which came late in the game and after England had crossed the whitewash was nothing if not harsh.

I thought it was tough, I thought it was definitely a try...now keep your eyes on number twenty, there's about ten English players in this and a number of Irish players on the ground so it's ten v about five. Poor old number twenty slips and gets swallowed up in a wave of white jerseys and he (the referee) says 'you took it to ground'

What's he supposed to do when ten guys come at him. I thought it was a harsh decision.

Neil Doak's Ireland U20s  now have a nine-day turnaround before they head to Scotland to try and keep their Championship hopes alive in round two of the tournament.

SEE ALSO: Peter O'Mahony Makes Uncomfortable Admission During Netflix Six Nations Documentary

Peter O'Mahony
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