Academy Youngsters Help England U18 To Seven-Try Win

Rowland and Capon (pictured above) started in the front row while Hughes made an immediate impact off the bench, setting up his side's third try. 

In tough conditions, the hosts deservedly led 12-7 at half time after a try each from full-back Elliott Obatoyinbo and wing Cadan Murley.

England’s dominance continued into the second period as John Fletcher’s side ran in five more tries with Cameron Redpath – set up by Bristol’s Hughes, on as a replacement - Charlie Wright, Tom Seabrook, Ted Hill and Murley all crossing to confirm the comfortable victory.     

England U18s will now turn their attention to their next match against Scotland U18s at Preston Grasshoppers RFC on Sunday 12 March (2pm). The match will be streamed live on EnglandRugby.com. 

SCHOOLMATES: Tom Rowland and Will Capon, who both attend Bristol Grammar School.

England U18 Head Coach Fletcher praised his side following the comprehensive victory.

“I think the score is a fair reflection of how the game went and we are pleased with the performance," he said,

"When we had the ball we were pleased with lots of the decisions and without the ball we were physical and didn’t allow a good French side to get on top. The players had to adapt to lots of different situations today in tricky conditions so for us that was really pleasing.  

“We will make quite a few changes for the next game against Scotland to give other players an opportunity, but hopefully we will get a similar performance.”

England U18: 15. Elliott Obatoyinbo (Saracens – Harrow School), 14. Tom Seabrook (Gloucester Rugby – Dean Close), 13. Oli Morris (Saracens – New Hall), 12. Fraser Strachan (Northampton Saints – Bedford School), 11. Cadan Murley (Harlequins – Bishop Wordsworth’s Grammar School), 10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins - Brighton College), 9. Will Porter (Wasps – Merchant Taylors School), 1. Tom Rowland (Bristol Rugby – Bristol Grammar School), 2. Will Capon (Bristol Rugby – Bristol Grammar School),3. Marcus Street (Exeter Chiefs – Exeter College), 4. Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors – Worcester College), 5. James Scott (Worcester Warriors – Malvern College), 6. Tom Willis (Wasps – The Henley College), 7.  Sean Reffell (Saracens – Harrow School), 8. Sam Moore (Sale Sharks – Sedburgh School).

Replacements: Nick Rigby (Worcester Warriors - Warwick School), 17. Nic Dolly (Sale Sharks)   , 18. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers - Wyggeston & QEI College), 19. Josh Basham (London Irish - Wellington College), 20. Charlie Wright (Exeter Chiefs - Exeter College), 21. Ollie Fox (Yorkshire Carnegie - New College Pontefract), 22. Cameron Redpath (Sale Sharks – Sedburgh School), 23. Iwan Hughes (Bristol Rugby - SGS College)