Irish U-21s hammer Canada
Ireland 77 Canada 3
Mark McDermott's much-changed Ireland Under-21 side ran riot at the IRB Under-21 World Cup tonight, scoring an eleven-try 77-3 play-off triumph over Canada.
The Irish management made nine changes and one positional switch to their starting line-up for the 9th-12th place play-off and it paid dividends in the cold conditions of the Chacras rugby club.
Steve Woodward kicked the Canadians' only points after four minutes, but that was as good as it got for the Canadians.
The Irish were 39-3 up at the break through opening tries from front rowers Ronan Loughney (1 minute) and Joseph Merrigan (18).
There was another for talented Dungannon back rower Stephen Ferris (33) and two late efforts from Corinthians winger Dan Riordan (36, 40).
Riordan scored twice against Samoa in last week's pool game, and ironically the Islanders, who beat Italy today, will provide Ireland's opposition again in Saturday's 9th-10th place play-off.
With the Canadians wilting in the second half, further tries for the Irish arrived from lock Alex Dunlop (47), stand-out Ballymena centre Andrew Trimble (49, 75), Robert Sweeney (60), Paul McKenzie (62) and replacement Ross Noonan (69).
Skipper Gareth Steenson, who kicked seven conversions and two penalties for a 20-point haul, said afterwards: “We're very happy with the result as Canada pressurised us from the start.”
“We still need to cut down on our errors for our final game.”
Coach McDermott added: “We need to improve our retention of the ball and decision making at key moments in the game.”
“We're pleased with our forwards and the whole team, seeing as they don't have a great deal of experience.”
