Seven-try Azzurrini bashing seals last four place

ENGLAND surged past Italy to extend their lead at the top of Pool B and book their semi-final place with a seven-try 43-5 triumph.

Marcus Smith opened the scoring after Tom Willis offloaded in midfield, and the fly-half stepped the covering defender to go under the posts.

Tom Parton went over for England’s second in the left corner before a fluid move saw Smith again break through, before the ball made its way out to Ben Loader to cross for his first of two.

Italy managed to get on the scoreboard through Antoine Koffi, but England hit back and had the bonuspoint score before the break with Loader’s second.

Gabriel Ibitoye and Smith scored again before Rory Brand slipped his defender from close range and sniped his way over for the final try.

France saw off Georgia, making it two wins from two in Pool B. Iban Etcheverry, Thomas Lavault and Arthur Vincent all touched down to give Les Bleuets a 24-12 win.

Ireland were also defeated, falling 30-17 to the South Africans in Narbonne after Caelen Sweetman-Doris had put the Irish within two points before the break.

A hat-trick from Wandisile Simelane all but ended Ireland’s hopes of a win and Michael Silvester’s try wasn’t enough to close the deficit.

Meanwhile, in Pool A, Wales were overpowered 42-10 by defending champions New Zealand, having still been in the game at half-time after Taine Basham’s first half score.

But the Baby Blacks showed their class in the second half and raced ahead, leaving Wales third in their pool and desperate for a victory against Japan on matchday three.

The Scottish were also still in the game at the halfway point in their match with Argentina, as Callum McLelland’s score made it 15-7 to the Pumitas.

Yet the Argentinians increased the pressure in the second half and ran out 29-13 victors, meaning Scotland lie bottom of Pool B.

In the last match of the day, Australia eased past Japan 54-19.