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U20 Six Nations: 206 points scored across wild weekend of rugby
By Ian Cameron
The penultimate round of the 2026 U20 Six Nations produced a try-fest of a weekend, rugby’s next generation doing their best to rival the dramatic scenes witnessed in the senior competition.
England bounced back in Treviso, Ireland prevailed in a high-scoring thriller in Cork and France tightened their grip on the championship race despite a spirited Scottish comeback in Edinburgh.
England bounce back in Treviso
England returned to winning ways with a 37-17 bonus-point victory over Italy in Treviso to keep themselves firmly in the mix ahead of the final round.
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Andy Titterrell’s side had to work for it early on after Pietro Celi opened the scoring for Italy from a five-metre scrum, with Francesco Braga converting for a 7-0 lead after 17 minutes. England had earlier seen a lineout drive halted for obstruction and another promising attack break down after a turnover inside the Italian 22.
Their pressure eventually paid off late in the first half when Will Knight gathered Lucas Friday’s low pass from a tap penalty to score, with Finn Keylock converting before adding a penalty to give England a 10-7 interval lead after Luca de Novellis was sin-binned.
England struck quickly after the break when Friday darted over from close range following a break by Tyler Offiah. Italy responded through hooker Valerio Pelli and later Malik Faissal to briefly cut the gap to three points.
However, England pulled away in the final quarter. Seb Kelly powered through several tackles to score on the hour before Keylock crossed himself to secure the bonus point. Replacement George Marsh completed the scoring from a well-worked lineout move as England wrapped up the win before next week’s trip to face Grand Slam-chasing France in La Rochelle.
Ireland outgun Wales in Cork thriller
Ireland moved into second place in the table after overturning an early deficit to defeat Wales 48-33 in a 12-try encounter at Musgrave Park.
Wales made the brighter start and surged into a 12-0 lead inside eight minutes. Hooker Tom Howe finished a driving lineout before Tom Bowen crossed following strong work from No.8 Evan Minto, with Lloyd Lucas converting the second score.
Ireland responded emphatically. Dan Ryan’s try sparked the fightback before back rowers Josh Neill and Diarmaid O’Connell powered over from close range. Tom Wood converted both before scrum-half Chris Barrett sniped over for Ireland’s fourth try to secure the bonus point before half-time and turn the deficit into a 26-12 lead.
The hosts extended their advantage immediately after the break when hooker Lee Fitzpatrick finished another lineout drive. Wales remained dangerous with ball in hand but struggled for possession, conceding 14 turnovers at the breakdown.
Despite late Welsh tries ensuring they claimed a bonus point of their own, Ireland’s attacking efficiency ensured Andrew Browne’s side ran out 48-33 winners and kept their Triple Crown hopes alive ahead of a final-round meeting with Scotland.
France withstand Scotland fightback
France stayed on course for the Grand Slam after building a commanding first-half lead before defeating Scotland 45-26 at a sold-out Hive Stadium.
The visitors raced into a 31-0 lead before the break with Tom Leveque opening the scoring after a cross-field kick before Joachim Senga Kouo and Baptiste Veschambre added further tries. Centre Adrien Drault capitalised on a loose ball to secure the bonus point before flanker Tana Keletaona powered over to complete the dominant first half.
Scotland responded impressively after the interval. Captain Joe Roberts finished from the back of a maul before replacement hooker Jamie McAughtrie scored from another driving lineout. Centre Campbell Waugh then ran onto a Jake Dalziel pass to cut the deficit to 31-19.
Any hopes of a remarkable comeback were halted when Drault grabbed his second try following an offload from Nils Punti. Jackson Rennie ensured Scotland secured a bonus point late on, but Timeo Frier crossed in the closing moments as France sealed a 45-26 victory to remain top of the table heading into the final round.
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