International round-up | Adams makes his mark in Wales win

Warriors wing Josh Adams scored his maiden Six Nations try to help Wales to a 26-15 win over Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Saturday.

Adams crossed for the first of Wales’ two tries – and his second in international rugby – which helped them to hold off Italy’s second half fightback.

Wales’ win was their 11th successive victory which equalled their record set between 1909 and 1910. They will have the chance to make history when England visit the Pricipality Stadium on February 23.

Warriors loosehead prop Kai Owen won his first England age group cap when he came on as a replacement in the 31-19 win over France in the Under-20s Six Nations at Exeter on Saturday.

Owen was one of four members of the Three Pears Warriors Academy, in an England side captained by his club mate Ted Hill. Centre Ollie Lawrence started for England and lock James Scott also came off the bench.
There was disappointment for Warriors hooker Joe Taufete’e as USA suffered their first defeat in three years in the Americas Rugby Championship.

USA, seeking a hat-trick of titles, were beaten 45-14 by an Argentina XV – the Pumas’ second-string – in Rio Negro.

Caps were not awarded by the USA for Saturday’s match but they will be when they host Brazil in Austin on February 23 where Taufete’e will need one try to break Keith Wood’s record of most tries by a forward in international rugby. Taufete’e drew level with Wood on 15 tries when he crossed against Chile last week.

Valkyries captain and hooker Lark Davies helped England Women to a 41-26 bonus point victory over France at Doncaster on Sunday.

Davies, who was Player of the Match in England’s opening round victory over Ireland, again impressed in a second successive bonus point win.

Wales Women, including Valkyries quartet Jasmine Joyce, Alisha Butchers, Ffion Lewis and Alex Callender, were held to a 3-3 draw by Italy in Lecce.

Wing Joyce thought she had clinched victory for Wales when she raced over from long range but the try was disallowed for a forward pass earlier in the move.

Valkyries wing Clara Clarke marked her England Under-20s debut with a brace of tries in the 33-5 win over the Army at Aldershot on Saturday.

Centre Megan Varley also made her debut for the Under-20s in a side that included three more Valkyries players in Akina Gondwe, Cara Brincat and Carys Cox.

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