Warriors’ pair Fin Smith and Lewis Holsey helped England Under-20s clinch the Triple Crown with an emphatic 45-3 win over hosts Wales in the delayed Six Nations at Cardiff Arms Park.
Fly-half Smith again drove England around the park with intelligent tactical kicking, created space with some beautifully timed passes and took his points haul in the tournament to 31 by converting two of England’s six tries.
Loosehead prop Holsey, back in action after recovering from a hamstring injury, came on as a 60th minute replacement and helped England to close out a fourth straight bonus point victory which keeps them on course for a Grand Slam. England play Italy in their final match in Cardiff on Tuesday (kick-off 2.00pm).
Although Wales took the lead from the kick-off when England conceded a penalty and fly-half Sam Costelow added the three points, the rest of the first half was dominated by England.
Smith kicked a penalty to the corner from which England drove Jack Clement over for the opening try which Smith expertly converted from the touchline.
There was a repeat dose 20 minutes later when hooker Sam Riley touched down with Smith’s conversion attempt striking the right goalpost and bouncing out.
England extended their lead on the half-hour when captain Jack van Poortvliet took a quick tap penalty and scooted away to score with Smith adding the extras.
Smith limped off six minutes into the second half with England 19-3 ahead, which appeared to be a precautionary measure by the medical staff.
England stretched their lead and secured the try bonus point when left wing Arthur Relton crossed on the overlap after 50 minutes and Smith’s replacement, Tommy Matthews, added the conversion.
Relton’s second try soon followed before Holsey, who started in the tournament opener against France, entered the fray.
Holsey helped to anchor the scrum from which number eight Nahum Merigan drove over for England’s sixth try and the Bath Rugby number eight ploughed over for the final score with the final play of the match.