O'Sullivan and colleagues must now turn attention to Springboks

Hugh O'Sullivan and his Irish colleagues turn their attention to facing South Africa on Sunday after they lost out 24-26 to France in the u-20 Rugby World Cup last night.  

O'Sullivan, who is the brother of current Meath footballer Cillian and Meath hurler Mark, will have mixed memories from that French game as he scored a try that helped give his team a comfortable 17-5 interval advantage. 

However, Ireland lost their way in the second-half and ended up suffering a defeat that could yet prove costly in terms of their ambitions in the competition. Harry Byrne scored a try, penalty, two conversions for Ireland with Donegal's Joe Dunleavy also getting in for a touchdown.  

O'Sullivan's display against France was described as "excellent" and he looks odds on to start at scrum-half against the South Africans. The O'Sullivans are from Kiltale and play their club football for Moynalvey.  

IRELAND u-20 team v France - M Silvester (Dublin University); T Roche (Lansdowne), T O’Brien (UCD), P Sylvester (UCC), D Hurley (Young Munster); H Byrne (UCD), H O’Sullivan (Clontarf); J French (UCC), D Barron(Garryowen), J Aungier (St Mary’s College); M Dalton (Malone), J Dunne(Dublin University); J Dunleavy (Malone), M Agnew (Ballymena), C Doris (St Mary’s College, capt).

Replacements: S O’Brien (Clontarf) for Hurley (27 mins); J Byrne (Dublin University) for Dunleavy (36-43 mins) and for Aungier (57 mins); C Daly (Clontarf) for Dalton (HIA, 50 mins); C Dean (St Mary’s College) for H Byrne (HIA, 50-58 mins); A Hall (Ballynahinch) for Dunleavy; J Stewart (QUB) for O’Sullivan (both 67 mins); D Sheehan (Dublin University) for B