France and England remain unbeaten at U18 6N

WALES 5-14 IRELAND

Day two began cloudy, but at least dry. After an even opening few minutes, Wales took the initiative. Repeated Irish penalties kept them out for a while, but that also resulted in an Irish yellow after 8 minutes, and a minute later Hannah Lane was in for the first try and Wales led 5-0. For much of the next 15 minutes Ireland had most of the possession by never threatened the Welsh line until a piece of individual brilliance by Leah Irwin cut her way the way through the Welsh defence, going from halfway to 5m, setting up Abby Healy for the score. With the conversion Ireland now led 7-5. With the clock on the red Wales tried to run out of their defence at the end, but gave up the ball to Ireland whose forwards set up a second try for Bronagh Boggan.

IRELAND 5-31 FRANCE

Elina Folituu got the scoreboard going for France after 6m, enter a short period of French pressure with a try in the left corner. Five minutes later Iness Zeze was unstoppable from 10m out, and France led 10-0. After 16m the speed of Aelig Tregouet saw her run from halfway for a third try, and with the score closer to the posts they led 17-0. After 22m Ireland finally broke into the French 22 and came away with points, scoring in the corner while France also picked up a yellow attempting to prevent the score. But being down to 14 did not stop the French, and Maud Barcelot scored a marvellous try, stepping and driving forward from the Irish 22 to power over. France led 24-5. Despite the clock being in the red France were determined to score again, and it was scrumhalf Perrine Fagnen adding another score. With the conversion France had scored 30 points again.

ENGLAND 26-14 WALES

Wales have a good age-group history against England, and made the most of English errors to score through Seren Lockwood in the second minute (7-0 to Wales). Ffion Davies added a second in the 11th minute, kicking ahead and finding the ball bounce back off and English player into her hands, sending Davies away to score (14-0). But from the restart Lucy Simpson shrugged off Welsh defenders to score reducing the Welsh lead to 14-7. After 18 minutes England pulled level with a penalty try, after several minutes of pressure - with a Welsh yellow at the same time. No sooner were they back to 15 than another Welsh yellow followed, and England finally took advantage to score through Ruby Winstanley and lead 21-14. Another Welsh yellow as to follow near the end, Abigail Pritchard taking advantage of the overlap to take England to 26-14.

FRANCE 24-0 ITALY

France had all of the opening possession and territory but it took seven minutes before Emy Baudru finally found space round the end of the line to score (7-0). A long period of Italian pressure followed, but they never theatened the French line, but as soon as France broke out in the 23rd minute they scored through Perrine Fagnen to lead 14-0. Italy defended well, but a third French try was almost inevitable and it came through Kalea Berroyer in the 32nd minute (19-0). Again France were not content, and with the ball in the red the strength, power and speed of Aelig Tregouet produced a fourth try.

SCOTLAND 5-29 ENGLAND

Scotland defended well for the first 7 minutes, but a cross kick taken by Joanne Vosakiwaiwaik who set up Abigail Pritchard (5-0). A Scots lineout next was their undoing, as the overthrown ball was taken by Kaya Acton who ran in 40m to score (10-0). Scotland finally broke into the England 22 in the 24th minute, and immediately scored through Louise Taperell, halving the English lead to 10-5. But England were soon driving forward again, with the pack seting up Heidi Pashaei Tarighoun to score under posts, though the conversion hit the post (15-5). With two minutes to go a near repeat put in Tarighoun again and England led 22-5. The dominance of the ENgland pack resulted in a fifth try at the end.

ITALY v SCOTLAND

Alice Antonazzo finally opened the scoring in the 11th minute, crashing through the Scots line yo lead 5-0. The power of the Italian pack continued to work to their advantage, and a 5m scrum in the 19th minute set up a second try for Antonazzo (12-0). Scots pressure finally allowed them back into the game after 25 minutes with a try from Hannah Smyth (12-5), but Italy controlled most of the rest of the game and - despite going down to 14 near the end - nearly scored a third try at the end when Valentina Carciani knocked-on on the line. But nonetheless a deserved first win for Italy.

Standings:

• France 4 wins
• England 3 wins, 1 draw
• Ireland 2 win, 2 losses
• Italy 1 win, 1 draw, 2 losses
• Wales 1 win, 3 losses
• Scotland 4 losses

Upcoming fixtures:

Day 3: 6th April (70 minute matches)

• • KO 12:00 FRANCE v ENGLAND
  • KO 14:15 WALES v ITALY
  • KO 16:30 SCOTLAND v IRELAND

Squads:

ENGLAND : Kaya Acton, Ashton Adcock, Jasmine Adonri, Daisy Aspinall, Iley Bailey, Grace Banks, Tamsin Baynes, Gabriella Brown, Molly Bunker, Bethan Candlin, Jessica Doyle, Natalee Evans, Zara Green, Evie Haskell, Becca Jackson, Aisha Jah, Hayley Jones, Emily Lunn, Haineala Lutui, Sarah Parry, Heidi Pashaei Tarighoun, Abigail Pritchard, Lucy Simpson, Solana Shaw de Leon, Isabel van der Straaten, Joanne Vosakiwaiwai, Ellie Wilson, Ruby Winstanley

FRANCE : Eva Mazzochi, Léa Guiton, Kiara Vili, Marine Kazmierczak-Douet, Zarasoa Macquart, Anais Peralez, Lena Lamour, Lise Geneste, Perrine Fagnen, Charlie Gauyat, Kalea Berroyer, Aelig Tregouet, Faustine Piscicelli, Margot Sibien, Emy Baudru, Many Barone, Elina Folituu, Mankla Dosso, Anna Daniel, Cassandra Leteur, Eva Tougne, Iness Zeze, Maiana Gony, Cherrazade Saiki, Jade Gamon, Mariama Tandiang, Maud Barcelot

IRELAND : Abby Healy, Ailish Quinn, Alma Atagamen, Aoibheann McGrath, Aoife Corcoran, Ava O’Malley, Bronagh Boggan, Caitriona Finn, Cara McLean, Carla Cloney, Clara Dunne, Emily Foley, Emma Brogan, Emma Jane Wilson, Erin McConalogue, Grainne Moran, Jemima Adams Verling, Kate Noons, Leah Irwin, Mia Hennelly, Rebecca Brennan, Sadhbh Wells, Sarah Purcell, Siofra Hession, Sophie Cullen, Sophie McAllister

ITALY : Sara Maria Affinito Giulia, Mary Akosa, Alice Angelucci, Alice Antonazzo, Alia Antonietta Bitonci, Alessia Cagnotto, Beatrice Candela, Valentina Carciani, Elisa Cecati, Chiara Cheli, Chiara Colella, Martina Compare, Rita Da Lio, Carola Fogarin, Laura Lina Foscato, Vittoria Francolini, Angelica Gazzi, Elena Gorgetti, Kristin Camilla Kone, Ester Lepri, Asia Liccardo, Antonella Maione, Anita Pietrobon, Emma Rappo, Ania Rosini, Cecilia Stafoggia, Giulia Turatto, Vittoria Zeni

SCOTLAND : Aisla Merryweather, Daisy Morrison, Ella Rae, Ella Williams, Ellie Moffat, Emily Coubrough, Emily Love, Emily Norval, Faye Sutherland, Gemma Thomson, Georgie Baxter, Hannah Smyth, Hollie Howland, Holly Wilson, Imogen Spence, Isla Pomroy, Josie Foubister, Lisa Brown, Louise Taperell, Megan Riach, Mia Ryrie, Niamh MacGregor, Poppy Mellanby, Rianna Darroch, Scarlet Down, Sophie Price, Talei Tawake, Tamzin Rosie

WALES : Jorja Aiono, Angel Band, Lola Bogerd-Mitchell, Robyn Davies, Milly Geering, Evie Hill, Crystal James, Elan Jones, Tia Jones, Branwen Metcalfe, Alaw Pyrs, Tilly Vucaj, Begw Ffransis Roberts, Evie Gill, Stella Orrin, Shannelle Williams, Ffion Davies, Rhiannon Griffin,Katie Johnson, Saran Jones, Hannah Lane, Seren Lockwood, Isla McMullen, Hanna Tudor, Hanna Marshall Marnie-Rae George, Nia Fajeyisan, Lily Hawkins