Worcester Warriors Academy star Matt Kvesic played his part as England’s Under 18s overpowered France 33-16 to extend their unbeaten international run to 15 games at Newbury on Sunday.
Marland Yarde ran in the two decisive tries in seven second-half minutes as England killed off the visitors with lock Dominic Barrow (Prince Henry’s Otley & Leeds Carnegie), centre Elliot Daly (Whitgift & London Wasps) and wing Charlie Walker (Oakham & Leicester Tigers) also touching down.
Captain George Ford (Rishworth & Leicester Tigers) added four conversions as well as running the show from fly half, setting up Yarde’s first score with a slashing break through the middle and prompting his second with a well-placed chip for the corner.
Ilian Perraux replied with two first-half penalties and wing Yohan Artru scored two second-half tries as France briefly held a 16-14 lead.
But England had too much energy, ambition and adventure to resist, emphasised by their ability to strike twice with 14 men on the field in the first half and willingness to keep on attacking rather than sit on a lead late in the game.
England U18:
Ben Ransom (Tonbridge & Saracens); Marland Yarde (Whitgift & London Irish), Elliot Daly (Whitgift & London Wasps), Ryan Mills (Hartpury Coll & Gloucester), Charlie Walker (Oakham & Leicester Tigers); George Ford (Rishworth & Leicester Tigers, Captain), Joel Hodgson (RGS Newcastle & Newcastle Falcons); Luke Cowan-Dickie (Truro Coll & Exeter Chiefs), Koree Britton (Ivybridge Coll & Exeter Chiefs), Anthony Brennan (Twyford CofE & London Wasps), George Merrick (Whitgift & Harlequins), Dominic Barrow (Prince Henry’s GS Otley & Leeds Carnegie), Will Skuse (Bryanston & Bath Rugby), Chris Walker (Prince Henry’s GS Otley & Leeds Carnegie), Matt Kvesic (Worcester Sixth Form Coll & Worcester Warriors).
Replacements: Nick Auterac (Oaklands Coll & Saracens), Nathan Morris (Sedbergh & Newcastle Falcons), Kyle Sinckler (Epsom Coll & Harlequins), Will Spencer (St Paul’s Catholic Coll & London Irish), Sam Northcote-Green (Dulwich Coll & London Wasps), Charlie Gordon (Wellington Coll & London Wasps), Jamie Elliott (Bedford & Northampton Saints), Mark Jennings (Lymm HS & Sale Sharks)