England 48-10 Italy: Hosts get off to perfect start with bonus-point triumph - Ruck
BATH, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: Chris Robshaw of Harlequins in action during the Aviva Premiership Match between Bath Rugby and Harlequins at The Recreation Ground on October 31, 2015 in Bath, England. (Photo by Julian Herbert/Getty Images)
U20 Championship

England 48-10 Italy: Hosts get off to perfect start with bonus-point triumph

7 June 2016
Rugby Rucker
  • England got off to the ideal start in their U20 Championship opener as they overcame Italy 48-10 on Tuesday
  • Tries from George Nott and Sam Aspland-Robinson gave the tournament hosts a 17-3 lead at the break
  • A penalty try plus scores from Joe Marchant, Jack Singleton and Zach Mercer secured the bonus-point victory after the break
  • Lorenzo Masselli got on the end of a deflected kick to score a consolation for Italy late on
Martin Haag’s England U20s side eased to a 48-10 win over Italy in Manchester on Tuesday evening and opened their Junior World Championship with a decent victory.

England were made to work hard in the first 40 minutes and went into the break leading 17-3, courtesy of two tries from George Nott and Sam Aspland-Robinson.

Captaining the side from inside centre, Harry Mallinder played a major role in his side’s resurgence in the second half as they began to add up the tries.

Mallinder added three conversions plus two penalties and his centre partner Joe Marchant was the next to cross as Italy wilted upfront.

Jack Singleton’s drive over from a rolling maul and Zach Mercer’s short-range power rounded off in the end a comprehensive win for England, although their lineout will need some work before facing Scotland this Saturday.

England: 15 Darren Atkins, 14 Sam Aspland-Robinson, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Harry Mallinder (c), 11 Ollie Thorley, 10 Theo Brophy-Clews, 9 Max Green, 8 Callum Chick, 7 Jack Willis, 6 George Nott, 5 Huw Taylor, 4 Andrew Kitchener, 3 Billy Walker, 2 Jack Singleton, 1 Tom West
Replacements: 16 Jack Walker, 17 Lewis Boyce, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Zach Mercer, 20 Josh Bainbridge, 21 Harry Randall, 22 Johnny Williams, 23 Max Malins

Italy: 15 Matteo Minozzi, 14 Dario Schiabel, 13 Roberto dal Zilio, 12 Marco Zanon, 11 Luca Sperandio, 10 Leonardo Mantelli, 9 Riccardo Raffaele, 8 Giovanni Licata, 7 Giovanni Pettinelli, 6 Lorenzo Robin Masselli, 5 Leonardo Krumov, 4 Davide Fragnito, 3 Marco Riccioni, 2 Engjel Makelara, 1 Daniele Rimpelli
Replacements: 16 Damiano Borean, 17 Niccolò Broglia, 18 Giosuè Zilocchi, 19 Samuel Ortis, 20 Davide Ciotoli, 21 Matteomaria Panunzi, 22 Andrea Bronzini, 23 Lorenzo Masato

Referee: Juan Sylvestre (Argentina)
Assistant Referees: Craig Evans (Wales), John Meredith (England)
TMO: John Mason (Wales)