France have been crowned the 2018 U20 Six Nations champions after defeating the Welsh 24-3 in Colwyn Bay on Friday night.
France, England, Ireland and even Wales had a chance of lifting the title in the final round of the championship. All the French had to do was better the result of the English who faced Ireland in Coventry.
France Crowned U20 Six Nations Champions
The advantage was always with the French and the bonus point was secured midway through the second half. Having gone three tries up to a solitary Welsh penalty at half time, the odds were stacked heavily in Les Bleuets‘ favour.
The Welsh provided a sterner test in the second half, but Fance proved too strong, just as they have done throughout the championship.
Tries from Romain Ntamack, Clement Laporte, Guillaume Marchand and Jules Gimbert helped secure a first Six Nations title since 2014 and a third overall since its inception in 2007.
?? CHAMPIONS ! ??? #FranceU20 pic.twitter.com/rAnDXPUDy7
— FF Rugby (@FFRugby) March 16, 2018
However, England remain the most successful side in the U20 Six Nations history, having won on six occasions. Over in the Midlands, the 2017 winners defeated Ireland in emphatic fashion 48-15.
England Finish Championship on High
Both sides were inseparable at the break with the scroreline 15-15. But England ran away with the victory in the second half scoring seven tries and 33 unanswered points.
Man of the match Gabriel Ibitoye scored scored a try, set up a sensational score for scrum half Ben White to touch down as well as having one chalked off for a knock on.
England's Gabriel Ibitoye dives for the try line during the Under 20 Six Nations match against Ireland in Coventry. pic.twitter.com/osDm8Esbx9
— John Sibley (@John_Sib) March 16, 2018
Ben Loader, Fraser Dingwall, Joe Heyes, Josh Basham and Ben Earl crossed to give England the best possible chance of retaining their title.
The narrow loss to Scotland in Round Three proving the difference.
Italy Secure Second Consecutive Win of Six Nations
Earlier in the day, Italy beat Scotland 45-31 to record their second victory of the championships. The result means Italy will finish above Scotland, who could only muster one win during the competition.
Having started strongly, the Azzurrini didn’t look back. Seven tries, including a double for winger Alessandro Forcucci condemned Scotland to the foot of the table.
The Scots scored four of their own, but being up against an Italian side that gone from strength to strength as the tournament has progressed, proved too much.
Last week they beat Wales, now the Italy Under 20s have beaten Scotland. It’ll be interesting to see if the full national side becomes more competitive once these players graduate. #ITAvSCO #ItaliaU20 #italyrugby pic.twitter.com/8XiK1rbtow
— George Wood (@GeorgeWood9187) March 16, 2018
Scottish fly half Ross Thompson matched Forcucci with two tries of his own culminating in a try bonus point. Alongside their emphatic win over England, the Scots leave the tournament with just five points. Head coach Stevie Scott will have plenty to work on ahead of the World Championships that begin in May.
The Italians however, will take huge confidence from their Six Nations showing, giving them a great opportunity to better their showing back in Georgia in 2017.
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