England U20s book winner takes all pool showdown after beating gutsy USA outfit

Finn Keylock kicked 18 points as England U20 booked a winner-takes-all Pool A showdown with Argentina next week after a ten-try 68-40 demolition of illness-hit USA at the Avchala Stadium.

The last time these two teams met in the Junior World Championships was in 2013, and England clocked up a record 109-0 win, but there was never any danger of a repeat.

The Americans, who were forced to make four changes to their side just minutes before kick-off after a sickness bug swept through their camp, took maximum advantage with two tries in the first ten minutes.

Jack Lewis only needed two minutes on his debut to score after a catch and drive, and then Finlay Cunnison finished from close range after powerful work from his pack, and Finn Keylock converted both.

One of the US’s late changes, Will Derbyshire, pulled a try back after 13 minutes, with Gavin Holder converting before Ollie Scola scored England’s third try after 20 minutes from close range, with Keylock converting.

Fixture

World Rugby U20 Championship

England U20

68 - 40

Full-time

USA U20

All Stats and Data

And they secured the bonus point six minutes later when Jerold Gorleku provided the finish to another set-piece move, and Keylock converted. Then after 30 minutes, Gorleku again went over from close range, and Keylock landed his fifth conversion.

Jameson Beatty burst through two England tacklers as the US went route one after 33 minutes and Holder converted, but they then fumbled the kick-off, and George Pearson accepted the gift.

England continued to turn the screw, and after 45 minutes they snatched a loose ball, and Nick Lilley left defenders trailing in his wake to score a try.

The Eagles refused to go away, and after 50 minutes Jack Firebrace nudged a short kick over the top, and Dane Mitchell collected a lucky bounce before going the length of the pitch for a try that Holder converted.

Four minutes later, Holder swerved through and converted his own try. On the hour, Mitchell scored the Americans’ fifth try, before a cooling break that allowed England to regroup.

Scrum-half Jonny Weimann stepped off the bench to score England’s eighth try after 64 minutes, which Keylock converted, but five minutes later Mitchell completed his hat-trick with another speedy finish.

Connor Treacey broke American hearts in the 73rd minute from close range, which Keylock converted, before Tylar Offiah scored walking over in the corner two minutes from time.