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Gleeson (23'), Kenny (38')
Tries
Roots (8', 78'), Searle (18'), Hassell-Collins (28', 50'), Randall (35'), Kloska (43'), Murley (61')
Frawley (24', 38')
Conversions
Searle (9', 35', 44', 51', 62'), Atkinson (79')
England ‘A’ pummelled a withered Ireland XV squad in Limerick on Friday night in front of a disinterested set of spectators and media people; present company included. 52-14 it finished in the end as the visitors looked like a cohesive club side playing conservative rugby; while Ireland look like a team who first met for the anthems.
One team set up to fail and another to succeed is testament to the latter; but did make for a worrying story unfolding in front of thousands of eyes.
That said, there was plenty of stand out players in green, but also mainly white, and we have handpicked a few of those for you.
Billy Searle
Mr. Searle I was not familiar with your game. With a thrown together side who only assembled this week, Leicester Tigers’ Billy Searle was a calm and composed force in midfield. The 29-year-old kicked superbly in open play and from the tee, in a shrewd showing. Searle might be a few steps away from being capped, but that should not take away from his influence in the famous white shirt either.
Bryn Ward
To keep things fair, there are a few Irish lads to be included on this list. First of them, from Ulster, Bryn Ward. Ireland’s top carrier across the 80 minutes, Ward stepped up to the mantle as was expected given his form. He fronted up physically, and had one stellar goalline stop early in the first half. Just a shame we didn’t see more of it in green.
Ollie Hasell-Collins
The first of four fully-capped English players on our list; Ollie Hassell-Collins was the pick of the wingers, at least from our vantage point. Another Leicester back, OHC got himself on the end of two tries, one of which after excellent footwork to ellude JJ Kenny from close range. He also had 2 line breaks and 7 carries for 31 metres; while always looking dangerous when given the chance.
Charlie Irvine
A second Ulster man on the list, Charlie Irvine was another forward who fronted up across the 80 minutes. The second row forward was the top tackler on field with 17, but was also proficient at lineout and maul time, as the youngster starts to round out his game with more minutes this season.
Ethan Roots
The captain on the night led like so, with a physically dominant display. The Exeter flanker was England’s leading tackler with 14, but his two tries on the night, which bookended the result in style. The Exeter man has stiff competition ahead of him in England, but this was a timely reminder of his ta;ents.
Matthew Devine
One of Ireland’s bright sparks from the bench, scrum-half Matthew Devine provided a noticable change in tempo and direction. The 23-year-old, who officially signed for Ulster midweek, adding a sniping threat around the ruck and an increased speed of ball; it was a showing that would impress Richie Murphy.
George Kloska
An alternate choice perhaps, but Bristol Bears’ George Kloska impressed in the ground he nearly called home. Kloska was Irish qualified prior to his first England ‘A’ cap and one couldn’t help but wonder what an impact he could have made provincially, given his scrummaging performance.
Joe Carpenter
Rounding things off with a final English star, Sale’s Joe Carpenter looked comfortable in the backfield all night. 9 carries for 63 metres but with 5 defender’s beaten shows the eulisiveness in contact while he also had 1 assist of a try in a sturdy 80 minute performance.
