Last minute try rescues England U20

Report from RFU: Kelly Smith came off the bench to score a late try and rescue a draw for England Women U20 against France U20 at Esher RFC.

After trading early penalties, England had the first try of the game just shy of 20 minutes with Catherine O’Donnell going over for 8-3. England dominated the first half, scoring twice more, from Sarah Bern and a penalty try giving them a 20-3 advantage at the break.

However, France came back fighting and soon got their first try of the game which they converted to take the score to 20-10. A penalty just before the hour made it 20-13 and England were unable to counter the French fightback which brought the scores level at 20-20, while a yellow card for O’Donnell left the hosts a player down. France capitalised on the deficit, with a second try for flanker Pauline Soulard putting her side five points ahead with 14 minutes remaining.

The England side showed great resilience in front of strong home support to keep fighting and a break through from Smith rescued a draw in the final seconds.

“We are disappointed not to come away with the win after going ahead," said captain Millie Wood. "The atmosphere in the changing room at half time was really positive and we wanted to kick on through in the second half. France came back on the front foot and we struggled. All credit to the girls for playing the full 80 minutes and bringing back the draw.”

Head Coach Jo Yapp added: “This squad is all about development and the girls will have learned a lot out there against France today. They will be disappointed with the final score, as they thought they could win. Embedded in these girls is resilience and they showed they’ve got that by coming back to score that final try in the last minute. They have to believe that they are good enough to beat France and they need to analyse today, not be disappointed but ask themselves what they can improve on.“

Saturday was the first of two games against France this month, with the second away at Chartres RFC on Saturday 19 March.

England Scorers: Tries: O’Donnell, Bern, Smith, Penalty try, Woosey; Conversions: Harrison; Penalties: Harrison

England: 15. Sydney Gregson (Bristol, University of Bath), 14. Rachael Woosey (Darlington Mowden Park, Bishop Burton College), 13. Holly Aitchison (Lichfield, Hartpury College), 12. Emily Wood (Captain) (Lichfield, University of Gloucestershire), 11. Abigail Dow (Wasps), 10. Zoe Harrison (Welwn, Hartpury College), 9. Lucy Nye (Lichfield, Loughborough University), 1. Ellena Perry (Saracens, Hartpury College), 2. May Campbell (Wasps, Brunel University), 3. Katie Trevarthen (Lichfield, Coventry University), 4. Molly Morrissey (Lichfield, Hartpury University), 5. Catherine O'Donnell (waterloo, University of Liverpool), 6. Sally Stott (-, Edinburgh University), 7. Poppy Leitch (Bristol, University of Exeter), 8. Zoe Aldcroft (Darlington Mowden Park, Northumbria University)

Replacements, 16. Rebecca Noon (Lichfield, Nottingham Trent University), 17. Jessie Hood (Bristol, University of Bath), 18. Hannah West (Wasps, Brunel University), 19. Olivia Jones (Bristol, Cardiff Metropolitan), 20. Sarah Bern (Bristol, University of Gloucestershire), 21. Chantelle Miell (Bristol, University of Bath), 22. Charlotte Holland (Bristol, University of Bath), 23. Kelly Smith (Worcester, Hartpury University),

France: 1 Annaelle Deshaye (Ovalie Caennaise, Pôle France); 3 Laure Touyé (Blagnac Saint-Orens Rugby Féminin); 4 Maeva Saheb (Ovalie Romagnatoise Clermont Auvergne); 5 Mélanie Combebias (Stade Toulousain); 6 Pauline Soulard (Blagnac Saint-Orens Rugby Féminin); 7 Fiona Lecat (Stade Toulousain, Pôle France); 8 Gaëlle Hermet (Stade Toulousain); 9 Philippine Mias (Rugby Sassenage Isère); 10 Carla Neisen (Blagnac Saint-Orens Rugby Féminin, Pôle France); 11 Lou Baguette (US Tarbes); 12 Marine Menager (Lille Métropole RC Villeneuvois, Pôle France); 13 Maelle Filopon (Rugby Sassenage Isère); 14 Noémie Sanch (Montpellier, Pôle France); 15 Marie Vanthournout (Stade Montois)

Replacements: 16 Camille Chailloux (LOU Rugby féminin); 17 Maëlia Lapoujade (Stade Bordelais ASPTT); 18 Elisa Guiguet (Rugby Sassenage Isère); 20 Miléna Buzenet (Stade Rennais Rugby); 21 Cindy Faure (USA Perpignan); 22 Ian Jason (Stade Rennais Rugby, Pôle France); 23 Marie Hamon (Stade Rennais Rugby, Pôle France); 2 Maeva Abderemane (AC Bobigny 93); 19 Lindsey Thimon (AC Bobigny 93);