Jack Bracken: 'Third try was pretty good; lucky with the bounce'

What a way to introduce yourself to the world at the age of just 18. Jack Bracken wasn’t part of the England squad that clinched the Six Nations U20s title 15 weeks ago, yet he was in Cape Town on Saturday justifying his recent call-up with a dream debut hat-trick.

He volunteered in the Athlone Stadium tunnel to RugbyPass that his third score was the best, latching onto his own kick to pounce out wide on the right. However, his first try was the most important as England were down 0-14 following a sluggish start and needed some momentum to pierce Argentinian exuberance.

It came in the 35th minute with successive out-the-back-door passes from Ben Redshaw and Henry Pollock followed by a carry and a slick pass to Bracken from scrum-half Ollie Allan. That possession invited the No14 to fly past a defender and score with a fast gallop from the 22-metre line.

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In a blink, the game changed. England were level by half-time and they went on to largely dominate the second half, winning 40-21 with a flourish that included a crosskick catch try from Bracken before he went solo, kicking ahead from the 10-metre line, regathering it five metres short of the try line and then rolling over after hitting the deck.

“The third try for me was pretty good. Lucky with the bounce but enjoyed it,” he chuckled after returning down the tunnel for a quick interview before the bus journey back into the city from the Cape Flats venue. “It’s really incredible. I can’t describe it.”

A sensational debut hat-trick ??

Catch all the tries from our #WorldRugbyU20s campaign-opening victory over Los Pumitas, including a debut hat-trick from Jack Bracken ? pic.twitter.com/AI9UfGVhSn

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) June 29, 2024

But he did. “It was really special. Really thankful for the opportunity. Yeah, credit to the boys. It was a good game. It was really special with the brotherhood that we have got going. Yeah, special… Yeah, my ability to beat defenders is one of my strong points. I got given the opportunity today and I took it pretty well.

“Tough first 20. Credit to Argentina, they really made it hard for us. But we got momentum towards the end of the first half and kept it going throughout the second, so it was good. Definitely, physicality was a step up. Speed of the game a step up but I think yeah, worked a lot harder and I coped with it pretty well. Great vibe in the changing room after a big win but looking forward to Fiji next week.”

Bracken wasn’t daunted stepping into the environment of a title-winning team that had done its business impeccably earlier this year when he wasn’t on the England U20s selection radar. Injuries helped to open the door, but his form wasn’t shabby either and they welcomed him in without any awkwardness.

“So I started with the 18s, then played 19s and did well enough to get selected for the 20s. Then to get my first start, really grateful for the opportunity. Everyone has been really welcoming. They welcomed me into the group and I know a lot of the boys. We have grown together and they have all been really welcoming. It has been a smooth transition.”

One that his famous World Cup-winning father Kyran is watching from afar. “He’s watching from home, it’s a bit far to travel. I’m sure he and all my family were watching. My brother Charlie was here (last year with the 20s) and he didn’t go either. It wouldn’t be fair if he came here for me.”

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HOT TAKE: What Mark Mapletoft made of Jack Bracken scoring a hat-trick on his debut for England U20s in their round one Championship win over Argentina, from Liam Heagney ?? in Cape Town. #EnglandRugby #ENGvARG #WorldRugbyU20s #rugby pic.twitter.com/kO5mnY7Owo

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 29, 2024