Ireland fall to Italy in U20 World Championship thriller

Ireland will hope to bounce back when they face New Zealand in a crunch final pool game on Wednesday

Ireland fell to a dramatic 18-16 defeat by hosts Italy in the second Pool C game in the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Viadana.

Italy, who lost their opener to New Zealand, took the lead after 12 minutes when number eight Nelson Casartelli went in for the game's first try.

Irish fly-half Tom Wood's penalty reduced the deficit, but Edoardo Todaro's reply gave the Italians an 8-3 half-time lead.

A second penalty from Wood's boot again narrowed the gap to two points, but Italy extended their lead to 15-6 when lock Pierro Gritti grounded at the end of a driving maul.

But after Casartelli was yellow carded, replacement Irish hooker Mikey Yarr finished in the corner to give Neil Doak's side renewed hope despite a missed conversion attempt.

With Ireland second row Billy Corrigan sent to the bin, another Todaro penalty put Italy 18-11 ahead with less than 10 minutes remaining.

Ireland - who beat Georgia in their first game - refused to give in and scored their second try through 19-year-old replacement back row Oisin Minogue.

However, Sam Wisniewski missed his conversion attempt to earn a dramatic draw with the last kick of the game to spark jubilant scenes for the home side at Stadio Luigi Zaffanella.

Having earned a losing bonus point, Ireland sit on six points, three adrift of Pool C leaders New Zealand, who they face on Wednesday. Italy are on four points, two ahead of Georgia.

The winners of each pool and the best second-ranked team will qualify for the semi-finals.