Pete Walton

England Under 18 39 Scotland Under 18 27

Both sides played with real intent, scoring ten tries between them, but England had the edge, scoring six, and deserved the victory.

Forwards Coach Pete Walton said: “We’re delighted to get the win, and to score some excellent tries. We knew it would be a quick game and that both sides would give it a go, so to put in a performance like that was really pleasing.

“The exciting thing is that there’s loads more to come from these guys. They’ve not had too many training sessions together but there’s a real unity and team spirit and it’s great to see.”

Scotland took an early lead with the pacey Saul Melvin-Farr darting through the English defence, but England hit back with three quick tries. First Darren Atkins showed his speed with a try in the corner before Falcons pair Jonny McPhillips and Joe Craggs both scored on their home patch.

Sam Aspland-Robinson made it 22-5 to England, but Scotland came back with two tries before the break. First Darcy Graham picked up to score an intercept try before Fraser Renwick burrowed over for 22-17.

In the second half, captain Theo Brophy-Clews got the first try, spotting a gap after patient English build up. But Scotland again came back; first Blair Kinghorn slotted a penalty before scoring a superb individual try and added the extras for 29-27.

Replacement forward Charlie Capps then went over for England just minutes later before McPhillips increased the gap with a penalty for 39-27 which is how it stayed.

Points: Darren Atkins 1T, Jonny McPhillips 1T, 2C, 1P, Joe Craggs 1T, Sam Aspland-Robinson 1T, Theo Brophy Clews 1T, 1C, Charlie Capps 1T.

England Under 18 starting XV against Scotland

15 Jonny McPhillips (Newcastle Falcons, Sedbergh School)
14 Darren Atkins (Bath Rugby, Millfield School)
13 Max Wright (Yorkshire Carnegie, Prince Henry's)
12 Max Malins (Saracens, Felsted)
11 Sam Aspland-Robinson (Harlequins, Wellington College)
10 Theo Brophy Clews (London Irish, Abingdon School, captain)
9 Jack Maunder (Exeter Chiefs, Blundells School)

1 Jake Pope (Sale Sharks, Myerscough College)
2 Dan Frost (Bath Rugby, Filton College)
3 Jack Stanley (Exeter Chiefs, Truro College)
4 Josh Caulfied (Exeter Chiefs, Bicton College)
5 Tim Cardall (Northampton Saints, Moulton College)
6 Joe Craggs (Newcastle Falcons, Gosforth Academy)
7 Will Allman (Northampton Saints, Trent College)
8 Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby, Merchiston Castle School)

Replacements (all used)

16 Joe Mullis (Gloucester Rugby, Chosen Hill)
17 Ollie Dawe (Exeter Chiefs, Bicton College)
18 Charlie Capps (Yorkshire Carnegie, Prince Henry's)
19 Archie White (Harlequins, Epsom College)
20 William Evans (Leicester Tigers, Wyggeston & QEI College)
21 Alexander Mitchell (Sale Sharks, Lymm HS)
22 Mark Dixon (Sale Sharks, Lymm HS)
23 Sam Yawayawa (Leicester Tigers, Wyggeston & QEI College)

ENDS