Ciaran knight eng u20s proof #1

Georgia 2017

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Match Report, 31 May 2017, 11:44

England got their World Rugby U20 Championship defence off to a winning start with a comprehensive 74-17 victory over Samoa at Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi.

England led 43-3 at half-time having scored seven tries in an impressive first period.

Ali Crossdale, Zach Mercer (2), Max Malins, Alex Mitchell, Dominic Morris and Gabriel Ibitoye all touched down in the first half.

Further tries from Marcus Street, Crossdale, Ciaran Knight took the score to 60-3 but Samoa got their first try of the game through Losi Filipo.

Morris and Ibitoye crossed in quick succession while Filipo also had a second in the final action of the game.

The game also marked U20 debuts for forward Dino Lamb and Crossdale as England look to continue their proud record in the tournament.

Blistering start England made a blistering start to the game with an early try out wide for Crossdale who went over in the corner after good work from his forwards to create an overlap.

Samoa’s problems worsened when they had winger Losi Filipo sent to the sin bin for a high tackle on Mitchell off the restart.

Captain Mercer then bounced off a tackle to bundle over from close range following Ibitoye’s break in midfield.

Max Malins sent over the conversion and soon after collected a troublesome bouncing ball before spinning out of a tackle and crossing for England’s third try and a 17-0 lead.

Samoa had the chance to reduce that deficit but Ricky Pauli Ene dragged his penalty wide of the posts.

Captain Fantastic The bonus point came when scrum-half Alex Mitchell wriggled through to stretch over after a smart offload from Mercer.

Ricky Pauli Ene got Samoa’s first points of the game with a penalty from in front of the posts before Morris seared through midfield for try number five.

Malins’ conversion took the score to 29-3 after 28 minutes while Mercer went over off the back of a driving maul as England’s impressive first half continued.

That was followed up by an Ibitoye try and Malins’ conversion sent England into half-time with a 43-3 lead.

Driving force Prop-forward Street bundled over off the back of another driving maul to extend that lead while Crossdale collected a kick through to dot down for the second try after the restart.

England’s dominance up front continued with their driving maul in particular proving effective and Knight was the next to bundle over.

Samoa took advantage of an overlap to score their first try before Morris and Ibitoye had their second of the match and Jacob Umaga’s third conversion took the score to 74-10.

Filipo had a second for Samoa as fittingly the game ended to thunder and lightning.

England, who have won the tournament three times in the last four years, next face Wales on Sunday, 4 June in pool A, before ending the group stages against Australia on Thursday, 8 June.

• England - Tries: Crossdale 2, Mercer 2, Malins, Mitchell, Morris (2), Ibitoye 2, Street, Knight Cons: Malins 4, Umaga 3 • Samoa – Tries: Filip 2o. Cons: Paisami 2 Pens: Ene

ENGLAND DEFEAT WALES AT WORLD RUGBY U20 CHAMPIONSHIP 04 June 2017, 19:32 England earned their second bonus-point victory of the World Rugby U20 Championship after a hardearned 34-22 victory over Wales at Avchala Stadium.

The reigning champions led 24-10 at half-time with tries from Justin Clegg and Gabriel Ibitoye (2), while Malins converted all three as well a penalty.

Wales scores came from Kieron Assiratti as well as five points from the boot of Dane Blacker and they narrowed the deficit soon after with a penalty try.

However, Mitchell settled England’s nerves, also earning the extra point while Malins sent over a conversion and drop goal before Joe Goodchild’s late try for Wales.

Slow start England headed into the game off the back of a 7417 victory over Samoa in their opening game, while Wales lost their opener to Australia.

However, it was Wales who made the stronger start to the game and but for a superb try-saving tackle

under the posts from scrum-half Harry Randall England would have found themselves 7-0 down.

As it was a penalty for Wales followed soon after with a penalty from Dane Blacker after a collapsed scrum in front of the posts.

Gift of the Gab England soon settled into the game and despite losing Zach Mercer to the blood bin, they had their first try of the game.

Ben Earl powered through Wales defence and following a fine offload from Max Wright, Justin Clegg was able to cross.

Ibitoye had England’s second try and his third of the tournament, collecting Max Malins’ superb pass to power over in the corner.

Ibitoye then scored a superb individual try in the corner after England kept the ball for 12 phases courtesy of carries from Mercer, Earl, Ralph Adam-Hale and Josh Bayliss.

Wales problems worsened losing Will Jones to the bin and Malins sent over the penalty for 24-3 – his ninth point of the half.

England pay the penalty A floodlight failure delayed proceeding for 15 minutes and when the team returned to the field, Wales had their first try with Assiratti barging through with Robson’s conversion taking the half-time score to 24-10.

Wales almost had a second shortly after the restart but were held up over the line and from the resulting scrum replacement Ollie Dawe was sent to the bin for 10 minutes after being penalised for collapsing it.

Another scrum followed and Wales were awarded a penalty try to take the score to 24-17.

England lost winger Sam Aspland-Robinson to injury while soon after Malins superbly intercepted a cross-kick to prevent a certain try.

Bonus point He missed a penalty soon after though as England

were restored to 15 men and Mitchell earned the bonus point after collecting a chip and spinning out of a tackle to dot down.

Malins showed great composure to send over a drop goal with 10 minutes remaining however, Wales did not give up and Goodchild went over in the corner in what were the final points of the game.

• England – Tries: Clegg, Ibitoye 2, Mitchell Cons: Malins 4 Pens: Malins. Drop goal: Malins • Wales – Tries: Assiratti, Penalty, Goodchild Cons: Robson 2 Pens: Robson ENGLAND DEFEAT AUSTRALIA TO ADVANCE TO WORLD RUGBY U20 CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI 08 June 2017, 19:20 England sealed a dramatic 20-19 victory over Australia in their final pool game of the World Rugby U20 Championship to advance through to the semi-finals of the tournament where they will meet South Africa.

Australia went into half-time with a six-point lead following a converted Sione Tuipulotu try and eight points from the boot of Harrison Goddard.

Gabriel Ibitoye scored his fifth try of the tournament which Max Malins converted while Theo Brophy Clews also sent over a penalty for England.

Marcus Street bundled over and Malins’ conversion put England in front, however, Harry Nucifora kicked a penalty for 19-17. However, Malins’ penalty with two minutes left won the game.

Half-time deficit England trailed at the break, with Australia holding a six-point advantage going into half-time.

An early collapsed scrum saw Australia get their first points of the game from the boot of Goddard, however, England levelled the game with a penalty from Brophy Clews after a late tackle on Malins.

Australia then had a period of sustained pressure which saw them race into a 16-3 lead following a

converted try by Tuipulotu who was on the end of several fine offloads.

Goddard converted that and two further penalties before a moment of magic got England back in the game.

England finally managed to string several phases of play together and the ball eventually found Ibitoye on the wing.

The Harlequins player managed to dot down courtesy of a superb diving-one handed try in the corner which Malins converted for 10-16.

Australia missed a penalty on the stroke of half-time as a breathless half of rugby came to an end.

England fight back England had their noses in front for the first time in the game 10 minutes into the second half after Street bundled over off the back of a line-out and Malins’ conversion gave them a one-point lead.

Further chances to increase that lead followed but despite being camped on Australia’s try line the score remained at 17-16.

Late drama Australia came back into the game and Nucifora missed a penalty to put them in front on 68 minutes, however he made no mistake with nine minutes left to give his side a 19-17 lead with a penalty moments later.

Harry Johnson-Holmes was sent to the sin with two minutes remaining giving Malins a penalty in front of the posts which he nailed and despite late pressure England held on to set up a last four clash with South Africa on Tuesday.

• England – Tries: Ibitoye, Street Cons: Malins 2 Pens: Clews, Malins • Australia – Tries: Tuipulotu Cons: Goddard Pens: Goddard 3, Nucifora

England U20 24 South Africa U20 22: Zach Mercer leads English into World Cup final Josh Coulfield of England is stopped by Junior Boks Ernst van Rhyn and Juarno Augustus 13 JUNE 2017 The hope of a golden summer for English youth sport continues to grow as defending champions England have reached the Under 20 World Championship final after a hard fought 24-22 point win over a dogged South Africa in the Georgian capital Tbilisi. To emulate their footballing peers’ feat of a World Cup title, the rugby side will face either France or New Zealand in the final on Sunday. England had a five-point cushion at half time after captain and Bath number eight Zach Mercer and Northampton Saints scrum-half Alex Mitchell crossed for converted tries. Promising Saracens Fly-half Max Malins was impressive off the kicking tee, also kicking a first half penalty. The Junior Boks showed their mettle with a striking performance from their pack. Dynamic number eight Juarno Augusto powered over for a first half try. The impressive Curwin Bosch of the Sharks duly converted. The young South Africans continued to impress in the second half with a try from lock Ruben Van Heerden, with Bosch again adding the extras. They stretched their to 17- 22 after an impressive penalty kick from Bosch. England fly-half Max Malins tackles South African lock Lee-Marvin Mazibuko .

With just moments remaining Mercer showed the individual class that saw him named the Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) Young Player of the Year, to bust through the Junior Boks’ defense and score under the posts. Malins converted to edge England ahead. The South African’s had a chance to snatch the lead when Bosch slipped into the pocket but he botched his drop kick chance. England hung on to snatch the win. If they do go on to win on Sunday, it will be England’s fourth world title at Under 20 level in five years.

ENGLAND BEATEN IN FINAL OF WORLD RUGBY U20 CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL 18 June 2017 England were defeated by New Zealand in the final of the World Rugby U20 Championship after sustaining a 64-17 loss in Georgia.

They trailed 40-7 at the break with New Zealand scoring tries through Dalton Papali’I, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Asafo Aumua 2, Isaia Walker-Leawere and Luke Jacobson with

Stephen Perofeta contributing 10 points. England’s try came from Ben Earl, which Max Malins converted. Josh McKay and Alex Mitchell traded tries after the break before New Zealand added to their lead through Aumua and Tom Christie. Josh Bayliss scored England’s third score while Jacobson had a second and the final try of the game. Defying the odds The side had defied the odds to reach their fifth successive World Rugby U20 Championship final.

Heading into the tournament five members of the U20 Elite Performance Squad were called into the senior set up for the two-Test tour of Argentina while they also lost five key players to injury out in Georgia. Nonetheless the side secured bonus-point victories over Samoa and Wales before beating Australia in their final pool game. A late Zach Mercer try in the last four secured their place in Sunday’s final but the Baby Blacks proved too strong. Blistering Baby Blacks New Zealand made a blistering start after Papali’i dived over a ruck to open the scoring and after consultation with the TMO it was awarded despite suspicions of a knock on. Rakete-Stones was the next to barge over after New Zealand powered their way to England’s line which Perofeta converted. Malins and Perofeta both missed penalties before England had their first try of the game. After going through several phases, Earl picked a fine line to scythe through the Baby Blacks midfield and cross unchallenged.Randall prevented a certain try in the corner, forcing Tima Faingaanuku to knock on but moments later they had their third try with Aumua powering through the tackle of Darren Atkins in the corner. The Baby Blacks scored a fourth after Walker-Leawere finished off Will Jordan’s break while soon after Aumua powered over from close range with Perofeta’s conversion taking the score to 33-7. There was time for one more before the break, Jacobson going over in the corner which Perofeta converted for 40-7. Mitchell makes an impact McKay had try number seven for New Zealand before they were reduced to 14 men with Ezekiel Lindenmuth sent to the bin. Mitchell came on for Randall and made an immediate impact sniping through with a quick tap and go to score. Aumua scored hat trick as New Zealand hit 50 and Christie barged over for a ninth try before replacement James Grayson produced a moment of magic to send a kick over the New Zealand defence and into the hands of Bayliss who bundled over in the corner. However, New Zealand

had the final say, Jacobson powering through which Perofeta converted in the final action of the game.

• England – Tries: Earl, Mitchell, Bayliss Cons: Malins • New Zealand – Tries: Papali’I, Rakete-Stones, Aumua 3, Walker-Leawere, Jacobson 2, McKay, Christie Cons: Perofeta 7 Mercer proud of side despite New Zealand defeat 19 June 2017 England Under 20 captain Zach Mercer paid tribute to his team mates, after their World Rugby U20 Championship final ended in defeat. Mercer and his team mates had defied the odds to reach the final with the game proving one match too far. New Zealand sealed a 64-17 victory in Sunday’s final but Mercer says the side should still be proud of themselves. “We are disappointed with the result but we will leave Georgia with our heads held high,” said Mercer.

“We came up against some huge challenges during this campaign and I’m really proud of the boys effort.””We are disappointed with the result but we will leave Georgia with our heads held high.” The Bath forward added: “We won’t make excuses, they were the better outfit, we didn’t switch on as well as we should have in that first 20 minutes, they capitalised on evert error they are outstanding outfit.”

England were without 12 players going into Sunday’s final.

Five were called into the senior squad for the tour of Argentina, while a further seven were ruled out through injury.

And Mercer said he was disappointed not to have been able to win the tournament for those players who missed out through injury. “We lost players pre and during the tournament and we wanted to do it for them, however, it wasn’t to be but it has been a squad effort to get us to this point,” he added. For Mercer and many of the squad this will be the last time they play for England U20s with players such as Max Malins, Harry Randall and Theo Brophy Clews now moving into senior rugby. And Mercer says the challenge for them is to return to club rugby and try and make the move up to international rugby.

“For a lot of these players it’s the last time they’ll play for England U20 so this is a special day for them,” he said. “I’ve really enjoyed my time with England U20s and the challenge for us now is to go back to our clubs and be better players and try and make that step to international rugby.”

Final standings World Rugby U20 Championship 2017

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England U20s 2017 Tom Parton (London Irish), Ali Crossdale (Saracens), Dominic Morris (Saracens), Will Butler (Worcester Warriors), Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins), Theo Brophy-Clews (London Irish) captain, Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints), Ollie Dawe (Bristol Rugby), Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons), Marcus Street (Exeter Chiefs), Josh Caulfield (Exeter Chiefs), Dino Lamb (Harlequins), Max Davies (Newcastle Falcons), Josh Bayliss (Bath Rugby), Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby), Henry Walker (Gloucester Rugby), Alex Seville (Gloucester Rugby), Ciaran Knight (Gloucester Rugby), Justin Clegg (Worcester Warriors), Joe Mullis (Gloucester Rugby), Harry Randall (Gloucester Rugby), Max Malins (Saracens), Jacob Umaga (Wasps) gpfoto my photos, your story gerry@gpfoto.ie +353 (087) 2424123 Š All rights reserved