Chiefs duo help U-20s to success

 

Exeter Chiefs duo Stuart Townsend and Sam Skinner helped England Under-20s return to winning ways with a comprehensive nine-try 61-0 win against Italy at The Brickfields in Plymouth.

In front of over 3,000 fans, tries from George Perkins, Will Owen, Ellis Genge, Jake Farnworth, Howard Packman (2) and a hat-trick from Joe Marchant sealed the win, while fly-half Rory Jennings added ten points with the boot, replacement James Mitchell two, and Marchant two more.

It was just what the Junior World champions needed after they lost their opening Six Nations game of the season away to Wales the week previous.

England started the brighter of the two sides and sprayed the ball out wide for Perkins to score after five minutes. The second came soon after when Owen picked up a loose Italian lineout to scoot over.

England’s forwards were enjoying set piece dominance and Genge dotted down after a strong line-out in the Italy 22. Further first half scores came from Packman and Marchant to make it 35-0 at the break.

Marchant grabbed his second minutes into the second 40 and Packman did likewise shortly after.

Marchant completed his hat-trick after 53 minutes, showing great pace to fire through the Italian defence.

The heavens then opened which slowed down the pace of the game, but Jake Farnworth rounded the scoring off with five minutes to go to make it 61-0.

Head Coach Jon Callard said: “We’re really pleased with the performance from the lads, particularly against a physical and passionate Italian side. The response from last week was spot on and it puts us in a good place as we head into the fallow week.

“The fans at Plymouth were excellent – to get over three 3,000 in was a credit to the club and they made themselves heard. Ireland next up will be a huge test, especially in Dublin, but it’s one we’ll relish.”

 

England Under 20 starting XV against Italy

15. Piers O'Conor (Wasps Rugby)

14. George Perkins (Saracens)

13. Joe Marchant (Harlequins)

12. Charlie Thacker (Leicester Tigers)

11. Howard Packman (Northampton Saints)

10. Rory Jennings (Bath Rugby)

9. Stuart Townsend (Exeter Chiefs)

1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Rugby)

2. Jack Walker (Yorkshire Carnegie)

3. Paul Hill (Yorkshire Carnegie)

4. Kieran Treadwell (Harlequins)

5. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, captain)

6. Charlie Beckett (Leicester Tigers)

7. Will Owen (Leicester Tigers)

8. James Chisholm (Harlequins)

 

Replacements:

16. Jake Farnworth (Leicester Tigers) on for Jack Walker 52 mins

17. Tom West (Wasps Rugby) on for Ellis Genge 70 mins

18. Ciaran Parker (Sale Sharks) on for Paul Hill 52 mins

19. Joe Batley (Gloucester Rugby) on for Charlie Beckett 52 mins

20. Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs) on for Will Owen 52 mins 

21. James Mitchell (Sale Sharks) on for Stuart Townsend 52 mins

22. Tom Morton (Sale Sharks) on for Rory Jennings 52 mins

23. Tom Howe (Wasps Rugby) on for Tom Morton 70 mins