Nations Cup Secured

With three wins from three, and featuring eleven Munster players throughout their campaign, Emerging Ireland are Nations Cup Champions.

Success over Romania this evening was all that stood in the way of another trophy for Irish rugby this season, and Dan McFarland’s men did not disappoint, running out convincing bonus point winners over the host nation.

Emerging Ireland scored a total of four tries – two in the first half through captain Dominic Ryan and Craig Gilroy respectively, while incoming Munster backrower Robin Copeland crossed just after the break, with the Irish awarded a penalty try in the final minute following a shoulder charge on Munster’s Andrew Conway.

Munster 10 Ian Keatley was also on hand to successfully kick all four conversions and a penalty

In total Emerging Ireland tallied up 21 tries during their three-match run and only conceded one try, doing so in the 78th minute of this evening’s encounter when the Romanians forced a penalty try for a collapsed maul.

Full time score: Romania 10 Emerging Ireland 31

The victory brings to an end a long competitive season for ten Munster players – John Ryan, Dave Foley, Billy Holland, Sean Dougall, Tommy O’Donnell, Paddy Butler, Ian Keatley, JJ Hanrahan, Andrew Conway and Johne Murphy all gaining valuable international game-time in the green of Ireland, with Murphy also awarded the captaincy against Uruguay.