March 23, 2008
RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION
Press Release
England Under 16s defeat Italy in Four Nations
England Under 16s 12 Italy Under 17s 3
Flanker Joe Atkinson and inside centre and captain Owen Farrell scored tries as England Under 16 defeated a physically imposing Italy 12-3 in the Four Nations Tournament in France .
England led 12-0 in Vienne until a penalty by the Italy fly half made it 12-3 at half-time. But there was no repeat of the tournament opener in which Wales came back to beat England 13-12 from the same scoreline.
“ Italy are fielding an Under 17 side and they were big and physical,” said George Squires , England U16 team manager. “We are disappointed that not everything from the training field is being shown in the matches but the boys’ tails are up now after their first win.”
Atkinson went over for the first England try after the ball moved through several pairs of hands, outflanking the Italians.
Farrell’s score was a good individual effort from 20 metres out, which was converted by fly half Tom Heathcote.
Mindful of the tournament rule stating that all 26 squad members must start at least one match, England have now capped the whole party in the opening two fixtures.
“Our defence was very sound again, as it was against Wales when they scored one try from a slip-up,” said Squires.
“We stuttered a little after half-time, perhaps we could have kicked more for position and not played as flat. The boys were going through three or four phases and then forcing a pass or losing the ball. But they are young and they are learning all the time.”
No new injuries were reported although several minor knocks prompted England to use five replacements during the second half.
The squad will spend most of Monday with the medical staff, assessing various aches and pains, with general rehabilitation, swimming and massage.
On Saturday night the team attended the French Top 14 club fixture between Bourgoin and Auch at the same Stade Pierre Rajon venue where England U16 had lost to Wales .
The England U16 team to face hosts France in the final Four Nations Tournament match on Wednesday (March 26) will be named on Tuesday.
England Under 16: A Lewington (Nottingham High School & Notts, Lincs and Derbyshire); J Whybrow (King Edward VI Five Ways School & North Midlands), S Stanley (William Edwards School & Essex), O Farrell (St George’s School Harpenden & Hertfordshire, capt), J Elliott (Bedford School & East Midlands); T Heathcote (Bishop Wordsworth’s School & Dorset and Wiltshire), A Davies (Lymm High School & Cheshire); K McCartney (Wanstead School & Essex), G Bee (Bishop of Hereford Bluecoat School & North Midlands), H Thomas (Millfield School & Somerset), J Tyas (Brighton College & Sussex), S Twomey (St Wilfrid’s RC School & Sussex), J Atkinson (Churcher’s College & Hampshire), B Vernon (Hutton Grammar School & Lancashire), M Kvesic (Blundell’s School & Devon). Replacements: J Cobden (King Edward VI Lichfield & Staffordshire) for Lewington, S Stuart (Sedbergh School & Yorkshire) for Stanley, G Ford (Rishworth School & Yorkshire) for Heathcote, M Haywood (Tendring Tech College & Eastern Counties) for Bee, S Jones (Aylesbury Grammar School & Buckinghamshire) for Kvesic. Not used: S Edgerley (Wellington College & Surrey), R Glynn (Sedbergh School & Lancashire), M Hearn (Helston Community College & Cornwall), H Allen (Hurstmere School & Kent), J Bache (St Peter’s High School & Essex).
Tries: Atkinson, Farrell; Con: Heathcote.
Four Nations Tournament 2008 fixtures/results:
Thursday March 20:
England U16 12 Wales U16 13 (Stade Pierre Rajon, Bourgoin)
France U17 54 v Italy U17 0 (Stade Pierre Rajon, Bourgoin)
Sunday March 23:
England U16 12 Italy U17 3 (Stade Jean Etcheberry, Vienne)
France U17 v Wales U16 (Stade Jean Etcheberry, Vienne, 4.30pm)
Wednesday March 26:
Wales U16 v Italy U17 (Stade Vuillermet, Lyon, 5pm)
France U17 v England U16 (Stade Vuillermet, Lyon, 6.30pm)