Mark McCall's side failed to take their chances against England

Chris Bell twice touched down with Andy Reay, Ben Russell also scoring tries with Adrian kicking ive points and Brad Davies a conversion.

The Irish had 12 points from the boot of fly-half Gareth Steenson and a try from centre John Hearty.

The score was 10-10 at the break, but England took their few second half chances to reamin unbeaten.

Ireland drew first blood with an early penalty from the boot of Steenson, before tries from Reay and Russell gave England the lead.

But Irish spirits were not down and Ireland clawed their way back into the game on the half-hour following an excellent break from defence Hearty muscled his way over for Steenson to convert.

Steenson then edged Ireland ahead after the restart with an early penalty, though England immediately replied with the first of Bell's tries which Jarvis converted.

But Ireland continued to threaten England's lead and Steenson, enjoying a steady evening with the boot, slotted over two penalties with ease to separate the two sides by just one point with 20 minutes to go.

With the clock ticking away, Ireland were firing on all cylinders and after failing to break down England's defence Steenson attempted a drop goal which was just off target.

England then suddenly turned the tables and broke away to score the try that sealed the match with Ugo Monye who seting-up Bell. Replacement Davies converted to secure a victory.

England Under-21: John Clarke (Northampton), Marcel Garvey (Gloucester), Chris Bell (NEC Harlequins), Andy Reay (NEC Harlequins), Ugo Monye (NEC Harlequins), Adrian Jarvis (NEC Harlequins), Clive Stuart-Smith (Leeds Tykes, capt), Nick Wood, (Gloucester); Rob Hawkins (Bath), David Wilson (Newcastle Falcons), James Percival (Worcester), Christian Day (Sale Sharks), Ben Russell (Saracens), Will Skinner (Leicester Tigers), Ben Skirving (Saracens).

Ireland Under-21: Andrew Finn (Dolphin); Richard Lane (UCC), John Hearty (Blackrock College), Glen Telford (Dungannon), Tommy Bowe (QUB), Gareth Steenson (QUB), Tomas O'Leary (Cork Constitution); John Wickham (Clontarf), Denis Fogarty (Cork Constitution), Keith Doyle (UCD), David Gannon (Blackrock College, capt), Shane O'Connor (Cork Constitution), Kevin McLaughlin (UCD), Oisin Hennessy (Dungannon), Jamie Heaslip (DU).
Replacements: Conor Geoghegan (UCD), Stephen Bennett (Bath) Neil McComb (Dundee HSFP), David O�Brien (Old Belvedere), Robbie Shaw (London Wasps), Michael Glancy (Loughborough University), Breffne O�Donnell (UL Bohemians).