England, with Ford at fly-half and Leicester Tigers team-mate Matt Everard in the back row, out-scored Ireland four tries to one but needed a late score from wing Marland Yarde to secure the victory.
England got off to a dream start as a close-range scrum provided the platform for Worcester wing Andy Short to score in the corner. Ford converted and then extended the lead to 13-0 with two penalties.
After Ireland claimed their try, good work from prop Mako Vunipola freed up space for fellow front-rower Henry Thomas to touch down and England led 18-13 at the break.
A penalty brought the Irish to within two points before a solo score from Vunipola. Ford’s conversion attempt hit the post.
England then suffered with a lack of discipline as Ireland led 25-23 thanks to three successful penalties before Ford maintained his cool to chip England back in front.
Yarde dived over in the corner to give England breathing space at 31-25 and Ford’s conversion stretched them to an eight-point advantage by the close.
England U20: 15 Ben Ransom (Saracens), 14 Andy Short (Worcester Warriors), 13 Elliot Daly (London Wasps), 12 Ryan Mills (Gloucester), 11 Jonathan Joseph (London Irish), 10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers), 9 Chris Cook (Bath); 1 Mako Vunipola (Saracens), 2 Mike Haywood (Northampton Saints), 3 Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks), 4 Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), 5 Charlie Matthews (Harlequins), 6 Matt Kvesic (Worcester Warriors), 7 Matt Everard (Leicester Tigers), 8 Alex Gray (Newcastle Falcons) (c). Replacements: 16 Rob Buchanan (Harlequins), 17 Ryan Bower (Leicester Tigers), 18 Sam Twomey (Harlequins), 19 Sam Jones (London Wasps) on for Everard 55min, 20 Dan Robson (Gloucester) on for Cook 60min, 21 Owen Farrell (Saracens) on for Mills 40min, 22 Marland Yarde (London Irish) on for Joseph 50min
