Alex Day and Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi were both part of history as England Under 20 clinched their first-ever IRB Junior World Championship title with a 23-15 win over Wales in the final on Sunday.
The Northampton Saints Academy pair were both in the starting line-up for the contest in Vannes, having featured in every game of the tournament leading up to the decider.
England had trailed 15-3 at the break but tries from Exeter Chiefs duo Jack Nowell and Sam Hill reduced the deficit ,and fellow Chief Henry Slade’s reliable left boot put daylight between the two sides.
“I’m absolutely delighted,†said head coach Nick Walshe. “The lads certainly did it the hard way, but we showed real character in the second half and it’s amazing to get the win.
“We put a strong emphasis on performance, and in the second 40 we delivered. These guys have worked so hard, not only over the past few weeks, but over the course of the season, and they deserve their win.â€
Slade saw an early penalty sail wide after six minutes and with ten on the clock Wales were ahead. Wing Ashley Evans spotted a gap in the English defence and it freed up fly half Sam Davies who sent a cross-field kick back over to Evans who caught and touched down.
Slade made no mistake with his second kick after 15 minutes, making it 5-3, but Wales hit back and extended their lead. First through a Davies penalty and then through Evans who scored his second try to make it 15-3 after collecting a loose Hepburn pass.
England did cross the try line in the first half through Tom Price, but it was chalked off and England were reduced to 14 men when lock Dom Barrow was sent to the sin-bin for kneeing during a ruck.
England’s breakthrough came with 25 minutes to play, full back Nowell spotted a gap in the Welsh defence and raced through to touch down and Slade converted to make it 15-10.
Five minutes later and England had their second when centre Hill crashed over after sustained England pressure. Slade’s conversion put England ahead for the first time at 17-15.
Two late Slade penalties pushed England further ahead, and despite a late push from Wales, Walshe’s side held out for their maiden JWC win.
Scrum half Day played the full 80 minutes, while prop Hobbs-Awoyemi was replaced by Alex Hepburn on 55 minutes. The duo, along with Will Hooley and Tom Stephenson, return to Franklin’s Gardens having been part of the squad for the historic triumph.
Article source: http://au.eurosport.com/rugby-league/lunt-sticking-with-england_sto3792060/story.shtml
Rugby Union: Northampton Saints pair help England to glory
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