International Round-Up

By Mark Stevens

Tomas Francis enjoyed a winning start on his debut for Wales as Warren Gatland’s side recorded a 16-10 win away to Ireland in Dublin.

With both sides looking to get some much-needed game time under their belts ahead of the forthcoming Rugby World Cup, Gatland took the opportunity to hand the Exeter Chiefs tight-head his first-ever international cap.

Francis, who joined the Devon club during the summer of 2014 from Championship side London Scottish, featured for 55 minutes before he was replaced by Aaron Jarvis, who himself has previously enjoyed a short spell with the Chiefs.

Man-of-the-match Justin Tipuric scored Wales’ only try, whilst full-back Leigh Halfpenny kicked a further 11 points for the visitors, who will line-up in Group A of this year’s Rugby World Cup alongside Australia, Fiji, Uruguay and hosts England.

Jonny Sexton - whose brother Jerry is currently on the Chiefs’ books - kicked five points for the Irish, whose sole try on the day came from Iain Henderson.

Elsewhere, summer signing Michele Campagnaro marked his returned to the Italy side by scoring their only try in a 48-7 loss to Scotland at Murrayfield.

A brace apiece for Sean Lamont and Tim Visser, plus tries for John Barclay and Mark Bennett ensured the Scots' dominance never wavered.

Campagnaro, who has signed for the Chiefs on a two-year deal from Italian outfit Benetton Treviso, capitalised on in-goal havoc to score Italy's sole try. However, the visitors' dreadful ball retention and handling meant they seldom built phases and impetus.

Also in action over the weekend were Exeter hooker Elvis Taione and former Chief, Fetu’u Vainikolo, who both featured in Tonga’s 69-14 win over Championship side Nottingham.

Leicester Tigers No.8 Opeta Fonua led the way for the visitors as he claimed a hat-trick of tries on the night.

Meanwhile, included in the Nottingham ranks were Kieran Davies, Toby Freeman Rob Langley and Dan Mugford, all former products of the club’s academy set-up.