U20s Six Nations: Kepu Tuipulotu leads the charge as England blow away limp Scotland

By Ethan Bents

England ……………………… 57pts

Tries: Ridl 5, Tuipulotu 12, 37; James 29, Raymont 32, Burrow 43, Pearson 54, Bracken 58, Hall 77

Conversions: Coen 12, 30, 33, 44; Bellamy 55, 78

Scotland ……………………..13pts

Tries: Watson 8, Duncan 68

Penalty: Brown 24

England U20s’ Grand Slam dream continues after the defending champions scored nine tries in a demolition of Scotland.

Bath hooker Kepu Tuipulotu proved the standout, scoring two tries while also showcasing his athletic all-court game.

This result kept England on top of the Championship and left winless Scotland sitting bottom.

England headed into the game the firm favourites after winning their two opening matches, a stark contrast to the visitors who had lost both.

History didn’t favour the Scots either, as in last year’s campaign the visitors earned just one point, finishing bottom.

The return of Freddy Douglas, the flanker capped at senior level, was a huge boost for head coach Kenny Murray and his team.

Match Action

However, England started in superb fashion, scoring within six minutes. Debutant Campbell Ridl floated in off his wing and weaved through the defence and sped in for the try.

Scotland hit straight back after a fantastic 50:22 gave the visitors an attacking lineout. After several powerful phases, fly-half Mathew Urwin produced a beautiful cross kick to give Ferguson Watson an easy run in to level.

Before the visitors had a chance to celebrate their try, England had scored again. A powerful rolling maul left the Scots helpless and Tuipulotu was the one to bundle over.

Halfway through the first half, fly-half Urwin was sent to the sin bin after preventing a line break with a deliberate knock-on meaning Scotland were seven points and a man down.

Despite playing with 14, the visitors got points on the board next with full-back Jack Brown striking a penalty through the posts.

But England No.8 Kane James, player of the match last time out against France, powered through the Scottish resistance to extend their lead again.

Just minutes later, England further punished the Scots.

Try scorer James went from excelling offensively to being a defensive nightmare as his jackal won the hosts the ball back.

Then unlikely line breaker Tuipulotu charged through the Scottish defence and put in an outlandish grubber kick. A few phases later tight-head prop Tye Raymont scored to give England their fourth try and the bonus point.

Tuipulotu popped up again in an attacking setting, this time right on the brink of the Scottish line. He picked the ball up and threw himself forward, hoping to have reached the whitewash. A TMO check was needed but the youngster was awarded his second try.

England had blown the visitors away in the first period going into the interval ahead 31-8.

Second Half

After the break, the visitors almost produced the perfect response, threatening the English 22m instantly.

But resilient defence from the hosts ensured a Scottish attack was held up and the chance went begging.

Scotland’s momentum didn’t last long as just minutes later, England’s captain Tom Burrow broke off from an attacking maul and ran in to score. Fly-half Ben Coen added the extras in impressive fashion from a wide area.

Soon after, England smelt blood again and full-back George Pearson carved through the feeble Scottish defence to increase the visitor’s misery. But it didn’t end there.

The hosts then had an attacking scrum which was quickly spread wide to winger Jack Bracken, who flew over in the corner to give his side another try and take them past the half century of points.

Scotland looked to have had a tough 20 minutes still ahead of them but they were the ones who scored next.

Ollie Duncan touched down for the consolation try after over 40 minutes without them adding any points.

Normal service would soon resume though, as England’s Angus Hall got their ninth and final try of the game to solidify a terrific performance.

The bumper crowd of 8,238 in Newcastle were treated to a try fest and England’s Grand Slam quest continues with Italy and Wales to come.

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