England Overpower France For Second Festival Win

2008 UNDER-18 SIX NATIONS FESTIVAL: Saturday, March 29

ENGLAND U-18 18 FRANCE U-18 0, Cork Institute of Technology

Scorers: England: Try: Jamie George, Jacob Rowan; Con: Rory Clegg; Pen: Rory Clegg; Drop: Freddie Burns

France: –

Coming off the back of a massive win over Italy earlier in the week, England came into this game with plenty of confidence but with France seeking to make up for their opening loss to Scotland this was always going to be a tough outing.

England’s pack started the game in impressive form and forced France into some superb defending.

France provided a physical test for the English up front but out wide it was England who looked to have the cutting edge with Rory Clegg combining well with centres Andy Forsyth and captain Tom Casson.

Their good start was rewarded when hooker Jamie George crashed over after a lineout catch and drive effort and Clegg added the extras.

The score remained at 7-0 at half time but England came out firing and Clegg knocked over a penalty to push the lead out.

France struggled to deal with some hard running from England’s midfield and when flanker Jacob Rowan finished off a penetrating move, it looked like England had made certain of the win.

Replacement out-half Freddie Burns did exactly that when he came on and dropped a goal towards the end of the half.

England coach Alex Sanderson said afterwards: “This was a good result even though I am slightly disappointed that we missed a few opportunities. The lads, however, stuck to the structure and our game plan and that paid off. I was also really pleased with our scrummaging and driving mauls against a good French pack.

“There’s one more game to go now against Scotland on Tuesday. Now, we have to regroup, see how the lads are and get ready for our final match which we will of course be hoping we can win to end our season on a high.” 

ENGLAND U-18: Tom Catterick (Barnard Castle & Newcastle Falcons); Will Hurrell (Wyggeston & QE1 College & Leicester Tigers), Andy Forsyth (QEGS Wakefield & Leicester Tigers), Tom Casson (Sedbergh & Sale Sharks), Sam Smith (Cranleigh & Harlequins); Rory Clegg (Barnard Castle & Newcastle Falcons), Jordi Pasqualin (The King’s School Gloucs & Gloucester Rugby); Joe Marler (Richmond College & Harlequins), Jamie George (Haileybury & Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Millfield & Bristol Rugby), Tom Holmes (Sandbach & Sale Sharks), James Gaskell (Sandbach & Sale Sharks), Rob Milligan (Rugby School & Northampton Saints), Jacob Rowan (Bradford GS & Leeds Carnegie), Alex Gray (Barnard Castle & Newcastle Falcons).

Replacements used: Sam Harrison (John Cleveland College & Leicester Tigers) for Pasqualin (36 mins), James Currie (Millfield & Bath Rugby) for Vunipola (49), Joe Trayfoot (Epsom College & Harlequins) for Milligan (54), Lee Imiolek (Myerscough College & Sale Sharks) for Marler, Joe Barker (QEGS Wakefield & Leeds Carnegie) for Rowan, Sam Harrison (John Cleveland College & Leicester Tigers) for Clegg, David Blackwell (Hartpury College & Gloucester Rugby) for George, Tom Homer (Milton Abbey & London Irish) for Forsyth, Christian Wade (RGS High Wycombe & London Wasps) for Hurrell (all 65).

FRANCE U-18: Sonny Falconetto (Toulon); Valentin Tourenne (Brive), Joran Salgues (Perpignan), Hugo Chevalier (Toulon), Lucas Dupoint (Grenoble); Amaury Geneste (Begles), Julien Cabannes (Mont de Marsan); Anthony Maury (Montferrand), Kevin Legeun (Begles), Paul Oliver (Beziers), Sullivan Guyon (Orleans), Joris Archimbeau (Montpellier), Julien Petrod (Bourgoin), Florent Brunet (Perpignan), Antoine Erbani (Agen).

Replacements used: Victor Muret (Bourgoin) for Oliver (27 mins), David Tarroque (Toulouse) for Maury (32), Gilles Arnaudies (Perpignan) for Erbani, Adrien Domec (Biarritz) for Tourenne, Adrian Gach (Bourgoin) for Guyon (all 36), Mickael Ivaldi (Toulon) for Legeun (43), Teddy Iribanen (Toulouse) for Cabannes (57).

Referee: David Wilkinson (Ireland)