ENGLAND got their World Rugby U20 Championship campaign off to a horrid start as they crashed to a 42-26 defeat by Ireland.

Worcester Warriors back row Ted Hill started the game with Sixways team-mate Kai Owen coming off the bench.

England went in front in the second half and trailed 28-26 going into the final 15 minutes but ill-discipline cost them dear.

Wasps’ young hooker Alfie Barbeary was red carded for lifting up and dropping Ireland’s John Hodnett.

Ireland then made the numerical advantage count with further scores from Ben Healy and Hodnett to wrap up an emphatic six-try triumph.

England head coach Steve Bates said: "My message to the players was there is a lot more rugby to play.

“We can either feel sorry for ourselves and go into our shells or we can stick together and go out in the next game against Italy and put in a really good performance which does us justice.”

“We have fir to bounce back and give ourselves the best chance of qualifying for the semi-finals by winning the next two games and winning them as well as we can."

England face Italy on Saturday before tackling Australia next Wednesday.