Ireland’s XV were outclassed by England ‘A’ at Thomond Park on Friday night, losing 14-52.
Four tries and three conversions for the away team were followed by four more five-pointers successfully converted over the next 40 seconds. The hosts managed just two converted tries in the first half and failed to disrupt the scoreboard in the second half.
First score of the game
The visitors took an early lead thanks to a try from Ethan Roots. The England ‘A’ captain’s effort was converted by Leicester Tigers’ Billy Searle.
@EnglandRugby A strike first!@ExeterChiefs“Ethan Roots with the opening try of the Limerick match
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– Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) February 6, 2026
Searle was quickly signed for a try, giving England a 12-0 advantage – as he missed the conversion.
Ireland got on the scoresheet thanks to Munster’s Brian Gleeson. Number eight’s score was completed by Ciarán Frawley who successfully converted to reduce the deficit to 5-12.
Brian Gleeson gets @IrishRugby The first points of the match for XV
THE @Munsterrugby man reduces deficit against England A at Thomond Park
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– Premier Sports Ireland (@PremSportsIRL) February 6, 2026
The visitors dominated the scoring for most of the next twenty minutes, scoring two converted tries.
Two more tries for the visitors
Ollie Hassell-Collins joined Leicester Tigers team-mate Searle in the scoring charts as he landed for his side’s third five-pointer of the evening. Searle missed his second conversion effort of the evening – this one from a more difficult angle than the previous one he missed.
Harry Randall scored England ‘A’s fourth try of the match, before Searle converted to give the visiting team a 24-7 lead.
Kenny tries before halftime
Shortly before half-time, the Irish XV hit back. Joshua Kenny, reacting quickly, collected the ball and raced to land it – much to the delight and relief of the home fans.
Joshua Kenny for @IrishRugby XV!
The last try of the first half belongs to one of the @leinsterrugbythe hottest prospects
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– Premier Sports Ireland (@PremSportsIRL) February 6, 2026
With an easy pass to Ciarán Frawley, the UCD man kept Cullie Tucker’s side in the game, as they headed into the tunnel at half-time 14-24 behind England ‘A’.
Half-time score: Ireland XV 14 England ‘A’ 24
Minutes after the restart, Fineen Wycherley was convicted. With a man advantage, England ‘A’ put pressure on the home line, before Geaorge Kloska crashed over for a try.
Searle’s conversion effort was successful again, as it gave his team a 31-14 lead.
Ollie Hassell-Collins won his second try of the evening, while Wycherley was still in the dustbin. Searle added the extras again as England ‘A’ took a 38-14 lead.
“This is what they can do!”
@LeicesterTigers“Ollie Hassell-Collins scores as @EnglandRugby A’s dominance continues
– Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) February 6, 2026
The England ‘A’ team now dominated, with Harlequins winger Cadan Murley taking part in the testing action. Roots scored his second try and with Searle converting the first try and Charlie Atkinson the second, England ‘A’ ran out 14-52 winners.
Full-time score: Ireland XV 14 England ‘A’ 52
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