World Rugby U20 Championship: Round One
Wednesday 8 June 2016 13:35, UK
Wins for England, South Africa, Ireland and Argentina in Round One of the World Rugby U20 Championship.
England 48-10 Italy
England got their World Rugby Under 20 Championship off to a winning start with a six-try victory over Italy at the Manchester City Academy Stadium on Tuesday.
George Nott and Sam Aspland-Robinson as well a conversion each for Theo Brophy Clews and Harry Mallinder plus a penalty from Mallinder, gave England a17-3 at the break
Italy's points came from a long-range drop goal through the boot of Leonardo Mantelli in the first-half as England dominated the second period.
A Mallinder penalty as well as tries for Joe Marchant, a penalty try, Jack Singleton, Zach Mercer - their fifth different scorer of the game - gave them an unassailable lead.
Mallinder also sent over two second-half conversions as did Max Malins and while Italy had the final say of the game with a late converted try through Lorenzo Robin Masselli's the match belonged to England.
France 15-24 Argentina
Argentina kicked off their campaign with a 24-15 win over France at the AJ Bell Stadium.
France had the better of the first half after scrum-half Antoine Dupont went over for a try and a Anthony Belleau penalty gave them a slim 8-6 lead heading into the break.
France then won a penalty try to make it 15-6 before Martín Elías nailed two penalties to narrow the gap heading into the final quarter.
It was Argentina who then found another gear as Lautaro Bazán and Bautista Stávile both went over with Elías converting them both to secure the win.
Wales 25-26 Ireland
Ireland staged a fantastic fight-back to beat Wales at Manchester City Academy Stadium.
Wales had a fantastic start and raced to a 17-0 lead after 20 minutes through tries from Shaun Evans, Kellan Giles and Reuben Morgan-Williams.
Ireland fought back to go into the break just 15-17 down with tries from Adam McBurney's and full-back Jacob Stockdale's while Bill Johnston knocked over a drop-goal.
Penalties were exchanged early in the second half before Ireland took a 26-20 lead with a Johnston penalty and another try from Stockdale.
Wales looked to have won the game when Giles scored went over in the corner in the 77th minute but Jarrod Evans was wide with the conversion and Ireland held on for the win.
South Africa 59-19 Japan
South Africa survived a scare to finally run out convincing winners after going into the break 14-19 down against Japan.
Japan's impressive wing Ataata Moeakiola cut the Junior Boks defence to shreds in the first half with a hat-trick of tries.
However, South Africa ramped up the pressure in the second half to avoid a repeat of that historic win in the 2015 World Cup for Japan.
The Junior Bok forwards took control and gaps started to appear in Japan's defence with Jeremy Ward scoring a brace and Zain Davids, Manie Libbok, Mosolwa Mafuma and Carlu Sadie also crossing the whitewash.
Australia 10-15 Scotland
Scotland claimed a historic win by beating Australia for the first time at the U20 World Championship.
Both sides were rusty in the opening quarter in Salford and it was a Adam Hastings penalty that finally gave Scotland a 3-0 lead. Australia hit back with a try from lock Izack Rodda to give Australia a 7-3 lead at half-time.
The turning point then came in the 44th minute after Australia were reduced to 14 men after centre Campbell Magnay was sent off following a second yellow card for a dangerous tackle.
Scotland prop Zander Fagerson went over for an unconverted try before Australia regained the lead with when Mack Mason's penalty made it 8-10.
However, Scotland's extra man finally told as winger Darcy Graham sliced through Australia's defence from halfway to score.
New Zealand 55-0 Georgia
Defending champions New Zealand ran in nine tries to thrash Georgia in their opening game of the World Rugby U20 Championship.
On a rain-soaked evening in Manchester, Georgia's pack gave the kiwis plenty to think about but New Zealand were happy to throw the ball around and created space to attack.
Wingers Jonah Lowe and Caleb Makene both grabbed a brace while Luke Jacobson, Hapakuki Moala-Liava'a, Sam Nock, Malo Tuitama and Shaun Stevenson also scored. Jordie Barrett added four conversion and Stephen Perofeta added one.
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