- Self-belief key to improving U20 performances
- Mapletoft “very pleased” with second half haul against Wales
England Under 20 coach Mark Mapletoft urged his players to believe in their own ability after they stuttered through the first half before turning on the power to beat Wales 41-14 at Kingsholm.
The former Gloucester and England fly half's side were trailing 8-6 at the interval before increasing the tempo to score five unanswered tries in the second half.
Harlequins prop Joe Marler capped an outstanding performance with two scores and hooker Jamie George (Saracens), captain Jacob Rowan (Leeds Carnegie) and centre Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby) also touched down.
Fly half Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby) added three conversions and two penalties and Tom Homer (London Irish) a further two conversions.
England had to finish the game with 14 men after Newcastle Falcons number eight Alex Gray was sent off for stamping 15 minutes from time.
Their response was to redouble their efforts and score twice more - through Marler and May - in the next eight minutes.
"In the second half I was very pleased and to score five tries against a very good Wales side made me delighted for our guys," said Mapletoft.
"We had a similar experience in the Junior World Championship semi final against South Africa in Tokyo last summer.
"In the first half we just didn't play and then it was a case of déjà vu here with an almost identical second half when the guys came out and played.
"It's about self-belief and to be able to say 'we are better than you and we're going to show it'. I hope we can take that through the Six Nations and beyond.
"To score five tries is a testament to the ambition we have. These guys can play and they've just got to have that self-belief."
Once England seized the initiative and found some fluency they were a threat from all over the field.
Marler galloped past a clutch of defenders for his first score, George popped up wide on the right to touch down Rory Clegg's cross-kick and skipper Rowan's try came from an 80 metre counter-attack.
Harlequins wing Sam Smith launched the move down the right but the key support role was played by lock Leicester Tigers lock Calum Green and Gloucester prop Shaun Knight who swapped passes before the latter released Rowan on a 25metre run to the line.
Mapletoft added: "I thought the front row were all outstanding.
"While I don't like singling out individual players I thought Joe Marler had an exceptional 80 minutes and just continued the way he's been playing this season for Esher."