Street helps U20s to victory

By Steve Grace
2/2/18

Exeter Chiefs prop Marcus Street helped England Under-20s open the defence of their Six Nations title with a 27-17 bonus-point victory over Italy.

The side had the narrowest of leads at the break, taking a one-point advantage into half-time thanks to James Grayson’s penalty and Ben Earl’s try.

However, three second-half tries from Ben White, Tom Parton and Ben Loader, as well as two conversions from Grayson, stretched the lead and although Italy were awarded a late penalty try England sealed the win.

For several of England’s players, Friday’s game marked their debut at U20 level with Toby Trinder, James Scott, Sam Moore, Tom Willis, Fraser Dingwall, White and Ben Loader all getting their first taste at this level.

For Grayson it was his first start and it was his boot that scored the first points of the game with Italy penalised for offside.

England had their first try of the game, catching and driving a lineout for Earl to bundle over off the back of the maul but they could not convert pressure into points from there on in.

On the stroke of half time a succession of penalties took Italy to England’s corner and after several attempts they finally crashed over to score a converted try through Matteo Canali, which Antonio Rizzi converted.

England were held up shortly after the break, but from the resulting scrum White eventually found space to dart through for his first try for England U20s, which Grayson converted for 15-7.

Soon after Parton scored a superb individual try collecting an up and under from just inside Italy's half before searing through and touching down under the posts with Grayson again adding the extras.

Canali reduced the deficit to 22-10 with a penalty just before the hour mark but a fine Loader try in the corner after quick handling by England's three-quarters sent the wing over for the bonus point.

Late on Gabriel Oghre, Sam Lewis, Josh Basham, Ben Loader and Jordan Olowofela all came on for their debuts, meaning 12 players made their debuts on Friday.

Lewis was sin binned with nine minutes remaining as was Earl late on as Italy were awarded a penalty try for a collapsed maul, but victory was secured with England next facing Wales in the tournament.

Summary:

Italy U20s - Tries: Canali, Penalty Try;Cons: Rizzi Pens Rizzi

England U20s - Tries: Earl, White, Parton, Loader Cons: Grayson (2); Pens: Grayson