England have recorded their first win of their 2023 U20s World Championship campaign, with an emphatic victory over Fiji. This landslide win saw Mark Mapletoft’s side run out a 53-7 victory, and secure their first win of the competition.
England U20s built on their previous encounter with Ireland, which saw the two sides play out an all-time classic 34-34 draw. England showed their quality against the U20s Six Nations Grand Slam holders, and re-inforced their skill with the demolition of Fiji.
Fiji entered the match hot off an impressive performance against Australia. Understandably the underdogs, the Flying Fijians put in a strong showing against the Wallabies, for a narrow 46-37 defeat to ignite Pool B. England made a dozen changes from the side who drew with Ireland, in what proved to be a masterful plan by Mapletoft.
Fiji were left stunned by England’s attacking onslaught, as the Pacific Islanders conceded eight tries at the Danie Craven Stadium. Winger Cassius Cleaves started off England’s try-scoring after quarter of an hour’s play. He gathered a neatly nudged grubber from Connor Slevin in the back-field, and was unopposed to score.
Fiji equalised through prop Moses McGoon, yet England followed this up with a penalty try after 25 minutes. Following that Harlequins hooker Nathan Jibulu dotted down their third and wrapped up the first half. The second half saw one-way traffic all in favour of England, with scrum half Nye Thomas re-starting the scoring six minutes after the break.
Additional England tries came from centre Toby Thame, flankers Nathan Michelow and Tristan Woodman, before Greg Fisilau scored after coming off the bench, in the final play of the match. England now sit at the top of Pool B, after this high scoring win sees them surpass Ireland on points difference.
England’s final Pool Stage match of the 2023 U20s World Championship is a clash with Australia, with the two sides set to re-ignite an age old rivalry next Tuesday 4th July, in South Africa’s Athlone Stadium.