Jones try helps England to title-clinching victory

» GLOUCESTER’S Ioan Jones scored a try as England scored 33 second-half points to beat France 45-31 with a bonus point and clinch the Under-20 Six Nations title despite Ireland’s earlier win over Scotland.

England were denied the title by a last-gasp try in their draw with Ireland last time out and found themselves 21-12 down at half-time, and Ireland’s victory over Scotland meant England would have to win with the bonus point to lift the trophy in Pau.

It started well for the visitors as Ben Redshaw ran clear to open the scoring but Under-20 world champions France hit back through Mathis Ferte and Kalvin Gourgues before Leo Carbonneau scored one of the tries of the tournament.

James Isaacs powered over from a rolling maul to reduce the deficit to nine points at the break, before he claimed the first score after the interval from an identical routine.

Mathis Castro-ferreira crossed for France to stretch their lead once again but Minchinhampton RFC product Jones’ interception try kickstarted the England fightback,

Henry Pollock dived over and George Makepeace-cubitt’s conversion drew the visitors level. A penalty try handed England the lead before Jimmy Halliwell scored from close range to seal victory.

England head coach and ex-gloucester fly-half Mark Mapletoft said: “That is about as good as it gets. We knew it would be difficult to battle back from 21-5 but they showed their incredible resilience and work-rate.

“Last year we were too easy to score against and this year we wanted to be harder to play against and score against.

“We had to hang in there and thought we could hurt them around the fringes as the game went on and we finally clicked.”