England hit back with win over Italy
ENGLAND got their U18s Six Nations Festival back on track with a 26-10 victory over Italy.
Jonathan Pendlebury’s side lost their opening game 23-22 last weekend to France with Johan Wasserman’s solo try proving the difference between the sides. England’s tries came from Jack Bracken (son of Kyran), Reuben Logan (son of Kenny) and Kepueli Tuipulotu (son of former Tonga international Kati).
England started well against Italy on Wednesday when Charlie Myall opened the scoring after just two minutes, burrowing his way over the line.
Francesco Boreli replied with a penalty but scrum-half Lucas Friday spotted an overlap on the short side and swift hands freed up full-back and captain Ben Redshaw for England’s second try.
Italy hit back when Giulio Sari’s delayed pass set No.8 Piero Gritti clear down the right wing and second row Mattia Midena finished off.
After a succession of penalties inside the Italy 22, England prop Billy Sela bulldozed his way over from a tap penalty and the nine-point lead was restored after Ollie Davies’ conversion.
The second half was a much cagier affair with the only try arriving on 50 minutes when Bracken used all his pace to tear away down the left flank following a charge down from Toby Baker.
Ireland remain unbeaten in the tournament as they followed up their 36-20 win over Scotland last weekend with a 4817 demolition of winless
Wales, who started the tournament with a 29-8 loss to Italy.
Tries from Andre Ryan, Luke Murphy, Todd Lawlor, Luke McLaughlin, Charlie Molony, Mike Yarr and a brace by Evan Moynihan blew Wales away, who had tries by Kyle Harris, Ioan Duggan and Harry Thomas to show for their efforts.
France continue to set the pace in the tournament with an emphatic 50-7 thrashing of winless
Scotland.
A powerful French side ran in five tries in the first half and three in the second, several of which could be in contention for try of the festival.
First half scores by Ugo Pacome Nassar, Wasserman, Elyjah Ibsaiene, Kalvin Gourgues and a a penalty try ended the game as a contest before the interval.
However, France weren’t done as Gourgues scored his second shortly after the interval and there were further tries by Wasserman and Xan Mousques.
The action in Dublin concludes today with Scotland facing Wales, France meeting Italy and Ireland playing England.
France ended an incredible 2023 Six Nations U18s Women’s Festival with a perfect record of five wins from five after an emphatic 57-10 triumph over England.
Both sides had recorded four wins from four ahead of the contest and it was all England in the opening ten minutes, with Amelia Williams giving her side the lead.
However, France then scored nine unanswered tries from Kelly Arbey, Alice Grandholme, Zara Macquart, Maria Niakate, Garance Merle, Paola Castello, Aelig Tregouet, Iness Zeze and Noa Coudre.
Elsewhere, Wales secured their second victory of the festival as they beat Ireland 19-17 courtesy of Carys Hughes’ last kick conversion, while Italy beat Scotland 19-15.