U20 Six Nations: France brutally punish Ireland, England escape with win

The first round of the U20 Six Nations saw France flex their title credentials with a ruthless dismantling of Ireland in Perpignan, running in seven tries in a performance that mirrored the senior sides’ contest 48 hours earlier. England edged Wales by the narrowest of margins at Franklin’s Gardens in a scrappy, attritional contest decided late on, while Scotland did what the senior side could not by pulling away from Italy in Treviso after a competitive opening hour.

France U20 50-21 Ireland U20

Stade Aimé-Giral, Perpignan

Not unlike the senior side on Thursday, Ireland were overwhelmed by a French outfit who played with a power and pace that Andrew Browne’s men simply couldn’t live with.

France struck inside the first 12 minutes through Adrien Drault after Melvyn Rates had split the line. Ireland answered with a try of their own from Christopher Barrett, converted by Tom Wood, before Ruben Pargade and Romeo Bonnard Martin crossed in quick succession for the home side.

A yellow card for Diarmaid O’Connell [and later James O’Leary] only compounded Ireland’s problems.

Antoine Latrasse scored on 30 minutes before Ireland briefly rallied through a Josh Neill try but then France hit another gear. Matheo Frisach cut Ireland open again before the break, with Luka Keletaona’s boot kicking them into halftime with a 31-14 lead.

The second half followed a similar pattern. Barrett’s second try offered brief respite for Ireland but Rates, Lucas Andjisseramatchi and Baptiste Veschambre all then powered over as France stretched the contest beyond reach.

England U20 19-16 Wales U20

Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton

Andy Titterrell’s England held their nerve to edge Wales in a tight, low-scoring contest that was decided late and played largely in the trenches. Wales were the sharper side early on and built scoreboard pressure through the boot of Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, who kicked an early penalty.

The visitors struck the game’s first try when Steffan Emanuel finished a well-weighted kick, Leggatt-Jones converting before adding two further penalties to give Wales a deserved 16-0 lead going into half-time.

England rallied after the break, finally turning pressure into points when Sonny Tonga’uiha powered over from close range, Luke Davidson converting to narrow the gap.

A second try followed care of Jimmy Staples from a rolling maul on 50 minutes, though England failed to fully capitalise as Davidson’s conversion attempt struck the post.

Wales stayed in touch and remained threatening, but England found the decisive score five minutes from time when Victor Worsnip crashed over after sustained pressure, James Pater adding the conversion.

Despite a late red card for Davidson and a frantic finish, England held on to scrape home by three points.

Italy U20 10-36 Scotland U20

Stadio di Monigo, Treviso

Scotland U20s eventually pulled clear of Italy after a competitive opening hour to secure a convincing win in Treviso. The visitors struck early through Nairn Moncrieff after a Jake Dalziel break, though Hamish MacArthur missed the conversion.

Italy responded through the boot of Roberto Fasti and briefly stayed in touch as Scotland left points go begging.

Tries from Joe Roberts and Henry Kesterton did however assert Scottish control before the break, and Dalziel crossed early in the second half to stretch the lead, with MacArthur adding the conversion to make it 24-3.

Italy did show ambition. Daniele Coluzzi finished a sharp move just before the hour mark, but that proved their final score.

From there Scotland took command. Rory McHaffie’s solo effort and a late Harvey Preston try sealed the result, with MacArthur again adding the extras to seal a comfortable victory on the road for Fergus Pringle’s side.