Worcester star duo Andy Short and Matt Kvesic helped England U20 secure another superb victory in this season’s 6 Nations campaign as the team ran in eight tries in a 56-8 win against a spirited Scotland side.
London Wasps centre Elliot Daly helped himself to a hat-trick while captain and Newcastle Falcons No. 8 Alex Gray scored twice. Wasps wing Christian Wade, Harlequins hooker Rob Buchanan and Bristol Rugby prop Mako Vunipola all touched down once. Leicester Tiger fly half George Ford converted all eight tries, ending the match with 16-points to his name.
Rob Hunter’s men now head into next Friday’s match against Ireland in Athlone with a win securing them a clean sweep for the first time since 2008.
Early pressure from England put Scotland on the back foot and with three minutes gone an expertly executed cross field kick from Ford was caught by Daly as he dived over the try line.
Minutes later though and Scotland got on the scoreboard themselves; scoring a long distance penalty. The three-points galvanised the Scots but they failed to convert their possession into points and were punished by England.
Worcester Warrior wing Short broke free from midfield and floated a lovely ball over to Wade who turned on the gas and touched down.
England extended their lead shortly after when Ford and Daly once again combined to devastating effect. A chip through from Ford was touched down by the Wasps man, his sixth try in three 6 Nations games.
England’s scrum looked strong throughout, and soon after the third match official had deemed Rob Buchanan to have been held up over the try line, the pack pushed Scotland back and Gray picked up and touched down.
At 28-3 down Scotland began to fight back, heading over the whitewash for themselves soon after Gray’s try. Prop Robin Hislop barged his way through to touch down, the conversion was missed to keep the score 28-8 with 25 on the clock.
Buchanan then made up for his disallowed score by going over just before the break, showing great strength to push over the line and make the score 35-3 at half time.
There was an unfortunate stoppage five minutes into the half when England flanker Kieran Low went down with an injury, he was replaced by London Wasps’ Sam Jones, making his first appearance of the campaign.
England were reduced to 14 with 53 on the clock when Kvesic was penalised for not releasing, but Scotland were unable to capitalise as England kept possession and turned the pressure into points when prop Mako Vunipola went over for his first try of this season’s 6 Nations.
England’s scrum again asserted its authority with ten minutes left, a strong push towards the Scottish try line opened things up for Gray to touch down for his second try of the game and his fourth of the tournament.
With five minutes left to play, Daly completed his hat-trick. Harlequins lock Charlie Matthews stormed forward, before offloading to Saracens’ centre Owen Farrell who passed the ball along the line before Daly went over in the corner to round off the scoring