England U18s round off tour with France win

England Under 18s 12-8 France Under 18s

In windy conditions, tries from London Wasps wing Tom Howe and Sale Sharks scrum half James Mitchell helped England to the victory, while Northampton Saints No. 10 Sam Olver added two points with the boot.

After a cagey opening quarter England got the breakthrough when Howe spotted a gap in the French defence and raced in to score. Olver added the extras to make it 7-0.

With 30 on the clock France got onto the scoreboard with a penalty in front of the posts to make it 7-3, which is how it stayed until the break.

France then scored the opening try of the second period through their replacement hooker who powered his way over the line. But England hit back quickly when Mitchell spotted a gap after a strong scrum and sniped through to score.

Both sides created good opportunities as the game drew to a close but England held out for the second win of their tour.

Forwards coach Ian Peel said: “We’re really pleased to get the win – the conditions weren’t the best, it was blowing a gale out there, but we were committed and did well, particularly in the first half.

“I’m really chuffed for the lads, they’ve had an excellent year – first winning the FIRA/AER European Championship in March and then a successful summer tour. A few of these guys will be with the Under 18s next season so we’ll look forward to seeing them again, and a few will hopefully progress into the Under 20s”

Captain James Chisholm added: “We’ve had a great time out here in South Africa – we knew that today was the last time we’d all be playing together as a group and we were keen to put in a good performance. I thought that we did well in the first half but maybe dropped a little in the second, but we got the win and we’re pleased with that.”

Points: Howe 1T, Mitchell 1T; Olver 1C

England Under 18s starting XV against France

15 Howard Packman (Moulton College & Northampton Saints)
14 Tom Howe (Shiplake College & London Wasps)
13 Tom Fowlie (St Pauls Catholic College & London Irish)
12 Nick Carpenter (Filton College & Bristol Rugby)
11 Josh Skelcey (Moulton College & Northampton Saints)
10 Sam Olver (Oundle School & Northampton Saints)
9 Rory Jennings (Bryanston School & Bath Rugby) 

1 Alex Lundberg (Hampton School & London Wasps)
2 Jack Walker (Prince Henry's & Leeds Carnegie)
3 Ciaran Parker (St Ambrose & Sale Sharks)
4 Tom Ellis (Millfield & Bath Rugby)
5 Charlie Ewels (Bryanston & Bath Rugby)
6 Lewis Ludlow (Hartpury College & Gloucester Rugby)
7 Will Owen (QE Leicester & Leicester Tigers)
8 James Chisholm (Brighton College & Harlequins) (C) 

Replacements:

16 Cameron Neild (Manchester Grammar & Sale Sharks) on for Jack Walker 35 mins
17 Luke Chapman (Truro College & Exeter Chiefs) on for Ciaran Parker 35 mins
18 Paul Hill (Prince Henry's Grammar & Leeds Carnegie) on for Luke Chapman 62 mins
19 Josh Peters (Oundle School & Northampton Saints) on for Tom Ellis 55 mins
20 Ellis Genge (Hartpury College & Bristol Rugby) on for Alex Lundberg 46 mins
21 James Mitchell (Lymm School & Sale Sharks) on for Rory Jennings 35 mins
22 Hayden Stringer (Oaklands & Saracens) on for Lewis Ludlow 52 mins
23 Josh Sharp (Oaklands College & Saracens) on for Sam Olver 41 mins
24 Max Clark (Bryanston & Bath Rugby) on for Josh Skelcey 35 mins
25 Nathan Earle (Oaklands & Saracens) on for Tom Howe 35 mins