The England Saxons came within inches of possibly snatching victory from the Ireland Wolfhounds but it wasn’t to be as the Irish scored two first half tries to one and prevailed 14-8 in Gloucester on Saturday.
Leinster halfback pairing Isaac Boss and Ian Madigan crossed in the first half, while England’s try came from a Wolfhound mistake, and was snapped up well by young Anthony Watson.
Elliot Daly came within inches of scoring a late try, before Freddie Burns dived over without the ball.
Saxons coach Jon Callard was pleased with the overall effort despite his team not sneaking the win.
“We had four great opportunities in the second half, four great opportunities, from sustained pressure. It’s a credit to the lads that when Ireland turned it over and kicked it down our throats, Rob Miller set off on a counter attack and we were a whisker away from winning it.
“I think potentially out of this group there are numerous options to go forward into the full squad, whether that will happen next week, across the course of the Six Nations or the summer tour, I can’t say,” added Callard.
Ireland Wolfhounds coach Anthony Foley meanwhile said they were relieved to hold off the Saxons.
“We had to hang in there towards the end, but it’s a credit to the players that they did,” he said. “They just stuck at it in fairness to them, right until the end. They knew the week’s work was on the line, and they didn’t let it go to waste.”
Who do you think should make an appearance in their respective senior side this Six Nations?
Sign In