England U20 begin 2025 World Championship with bonus-point win over Scotland
Reigning champions England U20 began their 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship campaign with a bonus-point 56-19 win over Scotland U20. England scored through doubles from Jack Bracken & Kane James, as well as tries from Will Knight, Josh Bellamy, Ben Redshaw & a penalty try, with Ben Coen & Bellamy adding 14 points from the tee. Scotland's Noah Cowan & Hector Patterson scored, with Matthew Urwin converting one to add to their penalty try.
Scotland opened the scoring on a swelteringly hot day in Verona after fly half Urwin found Fergus Watson with a cross-field kick that the latter popped up to Cowan, but the conversion was missed.
England hit back just minutes later as Tyler Offiah showed his pace down the wing, only for a no-arms tackle to prevent him scoring in the corner. However, a penalty try was awarded for the tackle and Scotland’s Watson was sent to the sin bin.
The score swung back in Scotland’s favour shortly after, as they were awarded a penalty try when the maul was brought down, which also saw Louie Gulley receive a yellow card.
Scotland held the advantage for just two minutes, as a cross-field kick by Coen found Offiah in space. The wing was tackled just short of the 22 but he offloaded from the deck to Bracken who raced over to score his second try in as many games against Scotland. Coen converted to give Mark Mapletoft’s men a two-point lead.
England extended their lead with a quarter of the game played after heavy pressure led to a rolling maul five metres from the line. Kepu Tuipulotu broke and was brought down short, but James was on hand to pick up and crash over. Coen again converted from wide and England led 21-12.
A few minutes later some excellent interplay saw England go from coast to coast, with Coen finding James on his shoulder before the No. 8 used his pace to round Watson and score his second of the game. Fly half Coen continued his impressive showing off the tee with a conversion from near the touchline.
England had truly hit their stride five minutes later when Jonny Weimann drew the defence and passed for Knight on a fine line to score on his first appearance for the team. Coen added the extras and gave his side a 35-12 lead.
With three minutes of the half remaining, Bracken stepped away from a chasing defender to launch another attack. England spread the ball and debutant Sam Williams carried into the Scotland half before passing wide to Knight. The Gloucester centre then offloaded to Offiah, who had the presence of mind to find Bracken on his inside shoulder who scored under the posts. Coen converted and England went in at half-time with a 42-12 lead.
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England began the second half with some powerful carries but resolute defence by Scotland kept them at bay. The team then found themselves permanently reduced to 14 players, as George Timmins was shown a red card for dangerous play.
As the final 20 minutes approached, replacement and 2024 U20 Championship winner Olamide Sodeke charged the ball down in the Scotland 22 before carrying well up to the five-metre line. However, the ball was knocked on as the heat continued to sap energy from both sides.
With an hour played, England again threatened the Scotland line and a smart cross-field kick by Bellamy found Weimann on the wing. He offloaded to Ben Redshaw, but after successive offloads the ball was knocked on, although Mapletoft’s team had penalty advantage.
England elected to tap and go and won another penalty, but after choosing to go for the corner the ball was knocked on a few phases later.
With less than ten minutes remaining, England registered their first points of the half after some good work by the forwards won a penalty. Bellamy tapped and then chipped ahead before regathering to score and then converted his own try.
Having broken the deadlock, England added another in style as replacement Redshaw regathered Campbell Ridl’s grubber and his pace finished off the try, with Bellamy adding the extras.
Scotland scored a late consolation try through Patterson and Urwin converted to make it 56-19, but England held out to continue their run of nine wins in a row against their opponents.
