However, having suffered the disappointment of failing to make the semi finals of this tournament for the first time, they were unable to pick themselves up as the Irish ran out 27-12 winners.
Of the Gloucester contingent, only Ryan Mills started the game. Dan Robson started on the bench while Koree Britton missed out.
It means that England will play Australia for seventh place while Ireland will now face France at Newlands Stadium for a tilt at fifth place.
England started brightly but failed to capitalise on an early scoring opportunity while, on the other hand, Ireland swooped on a loose England pass for wing Barry Daly to run in from distance.
Back row Iain Henderson finished off a well executed move for Ireland's second and fly half JJ Hanrahan, who impressed in the first meeting, added a penalty for a 17-0 half time lead.
Rob Hunter evidently recognised that he had to make something happen and made four changes for the second period with Ross Harrison, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Max Crumpton and Marland Yade all entering the fray.
The impact was immediate as, 90 seconds into the half, a strong break from Yarde was eventually finished in the corner by captain Chris Walker.
Walker was then sent to the sinbin and Ireland took advantage as a second Hanrahan penalty made it 20-5.
Wing Yarde followed Walker into the bin as England continued to press and replacement Billy Vunipola was denied a try after being held up over the line.
England pushed to the bitter end but, despite a long spell of pressure, one lapse in concentration freed up Jordan Coghlan to cross for Ireland's third try.
England did have the final word as fly half Henry Slade touched down to make it 27-12, but it was too little, too late.
England Under 20 starting XV against Ireland
15 Ben Ransom (Saracens)
14 Will Addison (Sale Sharks)
13 Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs)
12 Ryan Mills (Gloucester Rugby)
11 Josh Bassett (Bedford Blues)
10 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
9 Ben Spencer (Saracens)
1 Alec Hepburn (London Wasps)
2 Nathan Morris (London Wasps)
3 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)
4 Dominic Barrow (Leeds Carnegie)
5 George Merrick (Harlequins)
6 David Sisi (London Irish)
7 Chris Walker (Leeds Carnegie) (C)
8 Jack Clifford (Harlequins)
Replacements:
16 Max Crumpton (Saracens)
17 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs)
18 Ross Harrison (Sale Sharks)
19 Billy Vunipola (London Wasps)
20 Ben Nutley (Northampton)
21 Dan Robson (Gloucester Rugby)
22 Tommy Bell (London Wasps)
23 Marland Yarde (London Irish)
Content courtesy of RFU
