Zach leads from front as England power on
ENGLAND U20s maintained their perfect start to the Six Nations campaign with an eight-try thumping of Italy to claim their third bonus-point win of the tournament.
The hosts, who have now scored 21 tries from their opening three encounters, led 17-0 at half-time after scoring three tries through Jamie Blamire, Ben Curry and captain Zach Mercer.
Harlequins wing Sam Aspland-Robinson secured the try bonus-point early in the second half but England kept going and scored four more tries with Josh Bayliss and Tom Parton both grabbing a brace.
“We knew the set-piece is a huge asset for the Italians so it was really pleasing that we dominated in that area,” coach Louis Deacon said.
“It was important we kept the pace high in the game to make sure we didn’t give Italy any momentum and I thought we did that very well.
“We made a lot of changes for this match and the fact the players were able to adapt and keep on top until the end is a huge credit to this group.”
It took both sides a while to get used to the slick conditions in Darlington but England’s forward soon got the upper hand with their power game proving too much for Italy.
Blamire grabbed the first try after barging over from close range after collecting an Italy overthrow at the back of a 5m lineout.
Ten minutes, later Curry bundled over for England’s second before Italian prop Giosue Zilocchi was sent to the bin for a no-arms tackle on the half hour mark.
England took advantage six minutes later when Mercer, captaining England U20s for the first time, picked the ball up from the base of a 5m scrum to power through through three tackles.
Aspland-Robinson secured the bonus point, flying down the right wing to collect Alex Mitchell’s clever grubber kick which sliced the Italy defence.
Marcus Street and Henry Walker both came on for their U20s debuts before Mercer showed power and pace to release Bayliss down the left wing and the flanker finished it off with ease.
Marcus Smith and Rory Brand were also on for their debuts at this level as England’s coaches took the opportunity to give several players experience of U20 rugby. They were later joined by fellow debutants 17-year-old Ted Hill and Max Davies.
Italy lost another player to the sin bin, Antonio Rizzi, after Aspland-Robisnon was tackled in the air and the resultant penalty was kicked to the corner.
England caught and drove to the Italy line and Bayliss bundled over off the back of a driving maul.
Bayliss had come into the side at the eleventh hour having originally been named on the bench, but an injury to Jack Nay saw him promoted to the starting XV.
The rout continued as Parton finished off an England break, flying over on the left wing for 39-0.
Italy tried valiantly to score a late consolation try but England showed superb defence to hold them out, with Curry central to the effort, and Parton rounded things off with another try in the corner.