England build momentum for World Cup

NEWS EXTRA

STEVE Bates’ England U20s recorded a 35-8 victory over the Junior Springboks at Butts Park Arena, Coventry, on Friday.

Bates’ side scored five tries in what was a final opportunity for players to earn selection for next month’s Junior World Cup in Argentina.

England led 14-8 at the break through tries from Josh Hodge and Olly Adkins, as well as two conversions, with South Africa scoring through Asenathi Ntlabakanye and a Jaden Hendrikse penalty.

Connor Doherty crossed for a third England score with late tries from Joel Kpoku and debutant Izaiha Moore-Aiono sealing victory with Hodge converting all of his kicks.

Bates said: “I was really pleased with some areas of our game, we scrummaged well and took our opportunities.

“There wasn’t quite as much continuity as we would like but overall it’s progress from the Six Nations and a step in the right direction.”

Hodge went over for the first try down the left wing after being released by Tom Willis following a break from debutant Jake Morris.

Ntlabakanye bundled over from close range midway through the half reducing the deficit to two points. Hendrikse gave his side the lead with a penalty on the half hour mark but South Africa lost Marnus Potgieter to the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on 5m from his try-line.

From the resulting scrum, Adkins went over for a second England try and Hodge’s penalty gave them a 14-8 lead at the break.

England lost Jon Kpoku to the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on before the hour, but after being restored to the full compliment, crossed for a third try through Doherty.

Joel Kpoku added gloss to the scoreline with a late try for England before replacement Izaiha Moore-Aiono skipped over in the final play.

England are in Pool B at the JWC and face Ireland (June 4), Italy (June 8) and Australia (June 12) before the knockout stages.

SQUAD

ENGLAND U20S: Hodge, Powell, Spink, Doherty, Morris, Vunipola, Warr; Adkins, Barbeary, Street, Kpoku, Scott, Willis (c), Christie, Tuima

Replacements: Atkins, Owen, Petch, Kpoku, Moore-Aiono, Fox, Haydon-Wood, Reeves