Georgia U20s…………………..40
Tries: Tsirekidze 11, Khutsishvili 14, Tohamiashvili 38, Ohumburidze 49, Dvali 67, 74
Conversions: Khutsishvili 12, 15, 39, 50, Kheladze 68
England U20s…………………38
Tries: Wills 1, 31, Fasogbon 5, Theobald-Thomas 28, Bracken 59, Fisilau 80
Conversions: Slevin 2, 5, Johnson 60, 80
Georgian rugby‘s emphatic rise continues as their U20s secured a first ever victory against England that resulted in wild celebrations with a pitch invasion at Avchala Stadium.
The Georgia senior side strengthened their claim for a Six Nations spot by beating Wales last autumn and their junior team’s victory over England in a thriller in Tbilisi will only bolster their claim to be included in the Northern Hemisphere’s premier tournament.
The levelled two match series was new England head coach Mark Mapletoft’s first games in charge ahead of next month’s World Championship in South Africa.
While England were victorious in Georgia last weekend, their inconsistencies continue at U20s level following back-to-back disappointing Six Nations campaigns.
England made the perfect start to the contest as Connor Slevin’s kick off evaded the Georgian receivers, with Sale Sharks winger Alex Wills on hand to finish untouched inside the opening 10 seconds.
Harlequins fly-half Slevin judged a tough wind brilliantly and cooly slotted the extras.
London Irish No.8 Chandler Cunningham-South produced a barnstorming carry off a scrum and off quick ball England found themselves deep inside the Georgian 22.
Cunningham-South’s teammate Afolabi Fasogbon was on hand to pounce from close-range to go under the sticks as England went ahead 14-0 after just five minutes.
Tornike Kakhoidze made a break down the left and on his shoulder was scrum-half Davit Khuroshvili, who raced away to get the home side back in the game.
Moments later Georgia were level as repeated pick and go’s proved too much for England’s defence and fly-half Petre Khutsishvili provided their second try in four minutes by going over from two metres out.
Suffering a similar theme to their U20s Six Nations campaign, England found themselves in promising positions inside the Georgia 22 in the first half but sloppy hands meant they repeatedly coughed up possession.
After being under immense pressure, England counterattacked up field and after Wills had his shirt pulled back by Kakhoidze, the outside centre was sent to the sin bin.
The resulting kick to the corner allowed Gloucester hooker Finn Theobald-Thomas to cross in the corner for England’s third try off a well executed line out move.
Bristol Bears full back Joe Jenkins broke through the middle and swift hands to the outside allowed Wills to score his second try.
Georgia hit back with sustained possession inside England’s half and having once being denied a driving maul try due to an overthrown line out, Tornike Tohamiashvili made no mistake on the stroke of half time by going over in the corner.
Khutsishvili converted the try from a difficult angle to reduce the deficit to just three points at the interval.
The home side went ahead for the first time as substitute Giorgi Ohumburidze’s pick and go caught the England defence napping as he went through a ruck to score.
England looked like they had restored their lead as the excellent Charlie Bracken assisted Leicester Tigers winger Jacob Cusick in crossing but Harvey Cuckson was penalised for blocking in the build up.
The visitors did go back in front as a strong carry by Jenkins allowed Bracken to snipe over from a metre out.
England found themselves under increasing pressure and after repeated offences inside their own 22, Jenkins was sent to the sin bin.
Shortly after Junior Lelos went back in front as Luka Dvali powered over with substitute Giorgi Kheladze on hand to convert the extras.
Dvali then went over for his second as Georgia exploited their numerical advantage brilliantly with quick offloads.
In the final minute, England crossed for a consolation try through Exeter Chiefs back row Greg Fisilau but it proved too little too late.
Last Saturday saw Mapletoft begin his tenure as England boss with a 41-36 win in the opening match of the series courtesy of tries by Wills, Nye Thomas, Nathan Jibilu, Harry Browne, Bracken and Nathan Michelow’s brace.
WRITTEN BY BEN JAYCOCK
Half time: 21-24
Referee: Nika Amashukeli
Attendance: 1,813
Star man: Charlie Bracken – England
GEORGIA: Mikadze, Kobauri, Kakhoidze, Shvelidze, Tsirekidze, Khutsishvili, Khuroshvili (c); Mamaiashvili, Tohamiashvili, Pkhadze, Ghaniashvili, Nikoladze, Zazadze, Sakvarelidze, Lomidze
Replacements: Ohumburidze, Kotorashvili, Mohedlishvili, Tskhadadze, Suluashvili, Jigauri, Kheladze, Beraia, Arohvadze, Sakhelashvili, Beridze, Ganiashvili, Dvali, Vardanidze, Mohedlidze
ENGLAND: Jenkins, Cusick, Ma’asi-White, Woodward, Wills, Slevin, Bracken; Opoku-Fordjour, Theobald-Thomas, Fasogbon, Cuckson, Chessum (c), Carnduff, Fisilau, Cunningham-South
Replacements: Jibulu, Clarke, Halliwell, Carr, Michelow, Thomas, Waghorn, Thame, Johnson
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