England A: (14) 28
Tries: Hassell-Collins, Van Poortvliet, Fisilau, penalty Cons: Atkinson 3
Ireland A: (5) 12
Tries: Bolton, Gavin Con: Doak
Jack van Poortvliet scored an impressive solo try as England A beat Ireland A at a soggy Ashton Gate in Bristol.
The hosts raced into the lead as Ollie Hassell-Collins latched on to a clever tip-on pass by Charlie Atkinson to dive over in the corner, before Ireland hit back through Shayne Bolton out wide.
Ciaran Frawley’s missed conversion meant England held a slender advantage before captain Van Poortvliet, who has 16 Test caps, sniped through a gap in the Irish defence and rounded the fly-half to finish.
England were wasteful with opportunities after the interval but did eventually stretch their lead when Greg Fisilau came off the bench to exploit more Irish shortcomings at the breakdown before running clear for the hosts’ third try.
The game was seemingly assured but the visitors remained resolute and claimed a late consolation try when Hugh Gavin powered over from close range.
The centre’s try reduced the deficit to nine points in the final stages but England had the final say with a last-gasp penalty try after Irish captain Max Deegan was adjudged to have deliberately knocked on Jack Kenningham’s pass to Hassell-Collins.
Line-ups
England A: Carpenter; Elliott, Ojomoh, Butt, Hassell-Collins; Atkinson, Van Poortvliet; Brantingham, Langdon, Kloska, Tizard, Lockett, Pearson, Kenningham, Barbeary.
Replacements: Oghre, Haffar, Green, Capstick, Fisilau, Porter, Shillcock, Hendy.
Ireland A: Daly; O’Brien, Postlethwaite, Gavin, Bolton; Frawley, Doak; O’Toole, Barron, Aungier, O’Connell, Murray, Deegan (capt), Kendellen, Jansen.
Replacements: Smyth, McCarthy, Jager, O’Tighearnaigh, Soroka, Gunne, Byrne, Gleeson.
