Irish youth rugby players say they are pleased with their performance after reaching the final of a mini-world cup competition in France last weekend. They competed against the might of teams from France and New Zealand.

Last Saturday at Maussane-les-Alpilles in Province, the U-12s from Kinsale Rugby Club defeated teams from Switzerland, Monaco, and Italy to take on their French hosts Ovaline in the semi-final. They defeated them by five tries to one.

But in the final, Te Awamutu Sports junior rugby from New Zealand outplayed the Irish team 5-2.

PRO Kinsale Rugby Club Given the high temperatures, Paul McSherry said the team did incredibly well.

“We are overjoyed that the guys made it to the final. The goal was always to successfully represent our club, our community, and our nation, which we accomplished by making it all the way to the championship game.”

McSherry remarked on the fantastic atmosphere both during the tournament and the championship game.

“The guys formed a guard of honour and entered the field. You can only imagine how thrilling it was for the boys.

The Haka was anticipated by all, but according to McSherry, the NZ team decided against performing it prior to the match because “they can find it emotionally draining and exhausting going into a game.”

However, he claimed that they insisted on doing it as a sign of respect after the game was over.

“There wasn't a dry eye in the house. We were deeply moved.”

Eight U-12 teams, or kids born between 2011 and 2013, competed in the tournament. They represented clubs in England, France, Italy, Ireland, Monaco, New Zealand, Spain, and Switzerland.

The Ovalive Club des Alpilles sponsored the international competition in honour of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.