A first-half try from captain Gus Jones set England Under 18 – who included Worcester wing Josh Watkins – on the way to a tense 28-25 win against Wales in Wellington, South Africa on Friday.
Second-half scores from Saracens wing Nathan Earle and Exeter Chiefs No. 8 Joel Conlon had given England a 28-8 lead, but three quick tries from Wales ensured a tense finale.
England beat their northern hemisphere rivals Wales 22-16 earlier in the season, and Head Coach John Fletcher was just as delighted to get the win this time around.
“We played well in the first half,” he said. “We played the territory game and we were pleased to go in ahead at the break. Wales are a good side, they were dangerous all match and played some good rugby.
“The second half was tough, we came out and scored two good tries, but as the game progressed Wales pushed on and scored three in quick succession. They built momentum, their kicks came off, we lost some of our defensive shape and we had to hang on towards the end.
“We made a lot of substitutions which sometimes changes the pace of the game but ultimately we are delighted to get the win. There’s a lot to work on, but this is our first game together for a while.
“France are up next and we’ll have to up our game for that one, they’re a big, strong side but we have something to gauge ourselves on now and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
England points:Gus Jones 1T, Nathan Earle 1T, Joel Conlon 1T, Billy Burns 3P, 1C, Sam Olver 1C.
England Under 18 side against Wales
15 Zach Kibirige (Yarm School) (Newcastle Falcons)
14 Nathan Earle (Oaklands College) (Saracens)
13 Tom Stephenson (Moulton College) (Northampton Saints)
12 Nick Carpenter (Filton College) (Bristol Rugby)
11 Joshua Watkins (Bromsgrove School) (Worcester Warriors)
10 Billy Burns (Hartpury College) (Gloucester Rugby)
9 Callum Braley (Hartpury College) (Bristol Rugby)
1 Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi (Moulten College) (Northampton Saints)
2 Harry Thacker (Leicester Grammar) (Leicester Tigers)
3 Harry Rudkin (Wyggeston & Queen Elizabeth 1st) (Leicester Tigers)
4 Maro Itoje (Harrow School) (Saracens)
5 Charlie Ewels (Bryanston School) (Bath Rugby)
6 Ross Moriarty (Hartpury College) (Gloucester Rugby)
7 Gus Jones (Eton College) (London Wasps)
8 Joel Conlon (Ivybridge Community College) (Exeter Chiefs)
Replacements
16 Alex Lundberg (Hampton) (London Wasps)on for Danny Hobbs
17 Sam James (Bishops Stortford) (Saracens) on for Harry Thacker
18 Biyi Alo (Haileybury College) (Saracens) on for Harry Rudkin
19 Jake Oldaker (Wellington College) (Bath Rugby) on for Ross Moriarty
20 David Hughes (Twyford C&E High School) (London Wasps) on for Charlie Ewels
21 Stephen Uren (Filton College) (Bristol Rugby)
22 Ollie Claxton (Adams Grammar School) (Unattached) on for Callum Braley
23 Sam Olver (Oudle School) (Northampton Saints) on for Billy Burns
24 Nick Tompkins (Oaklands College) (Saracens) on for Joshua Watkins