England made an impressive start to the AER (Association Europeenne de Rugby) Tournament in Italy with a 53-3 win over a physical Georgia side in Mogliano today.
The Georgians, as expected, fielded a powerful forward pack, but England proved equal to the task, defending superbly and using their dangerous backs to seal a heartening win with seven tries.
Five of the tries were scored in the second half as England grew in confidence and stature with winger Nico Fraser (Haileybury School, Saracens and Essex scoring twice to complete his hat-trick.
Fly-half Joe Ford (Rishworth School and Yorkshire) kicked 12 points, including a second half dropped goal, before he was replaced by Mark Atkinson.
England will now play Ireland, who beat Russia 53-0 in their opening game, in San Dona Dipiavae on Wednesday March 19 for a place in the final.
England were denied the chance to complete a hat-trick of titles last season when they were narrowly beaten by Ireland who went on to finish as runners-up to France.
"We didn't really do ourselves justice against Ireland last year and we would like to put the record straight," said England team manager Ted Atkinson.
"But we will not be getting too carried away. The team has come together very well during the time we have been in Italy and they have responded very well to the hard work that the coaches have done with them.
"The scoreline looks convincing but it was a win that we had to work hard for against a very physical and committed Georgia side. It was as physical a game as I have seen but we were up to the task, we tackled very hard in the second half and knocked them back. The players stood up very well today."
Georgia took the lead with an early penalty but it proved to be shortlived. Fraser finished off a patient attack by the England forwards with his opening try in the corner, Ford, the son of England assistant coach Mike, added the conversion and he then tagged on a penalty.
Ford was on target again when he converted a try by lock Rhys Jones, who was mauled over the line, which gave England a 17-3 lead at the break.
Having weathered the storm brewed up by the Georgian pack in the opening minutes of the second half, England settled to play some outstanding attacking rugby as they scored a further 36 points without reply.
Wing Jon Kennedy, the son of Sale Sharks owner Brian, used his pace and strength to clatter through two tacklers for an individual try that Ford improved. Ford then slotted a dropped goal before he was replaced by Mark Atkinson who took over the kicking duties.
Replacement centre Henry Staff wated no time in making his presence felt by scoring two tries within minutes of taking the field, the second of which was improved by Atkinson.
Fraser then ended the game with a flourish, going half the length of the pitch for his second try and beating two men to compete his hat-trick Atkinson converted both for good measure.
The AER tournament, which involves 30 teams from across Europe, will be the last for Yorkshireman Atkinson and lead coach Graham Whitmore of Truro School. Both are stepping down at the end of the tournament after several years of distinguished service to England Under-18 rugby.
England Under-18s v Georgia at Mogliano RFC, Sunday March 16 (3.30pm GMT): 15 Marcus Watson (St George's College, London Irish and Surrey); 14 Nico Fraser ((Haileybury College, Saracens and Essex), 13 Jordan Davies (Denstone College, Eccles and Lancashire), 12 Will East (St Paul's School, Barnes, London Wasps and Middlesex - captain), 11Jon Kennedy (Sale Sharks and Cheshire); 10 Joe Ford (Rishworth School and Yorkshire), 9 Craig Hampson (Harrogate College, Leeds Carnegie and Yorkshire); 1 Peter Austin (Worthing College, Havant and Hampshire), 2 Jimmy Stevens (Truro College, SWERA and Cornwall), 3 Shaun Knight (St Peter's Sixth Form Centre, Gloucester and Gloucestershire), 4 Daniel Wright (St Peter's Sixth Form Centre, Gloucester and Gloucestershire), 5 Rhys Jones (Corsham School, Corsham and Dorset & Wiltshire), 6 Will Welch (RGS Newcastle, Newcastle Falcons and Northumberland), 7 Matt Everard (Queen Elizabeth II School, Leicester Tigers and Leicestershire), 8 Jake Parker (Millfield School, South West Regional Academy and Cornwall). Replacements used: Mark Atkinson (St Ambrose College, Sale Sharks and Cheshire), Ross Chisholm (Brighton College, Harlequins and Sussex), Matt Keyte (Dulwich College, Harlequins and Surrey), Henry Staff (Bedford Modern School , Saracens and East Midlands), Marcus Watson (St George's College, London Irish and Surrey) James Freeman (Bromsgrove School, Camp Hill and North Midlands), Aaron Hall (Berwick HS, Newcastle Falcons and Northumberland), Ollie Stedman (Kings School, Tynemouth, Percy Park and Northumberland). |
