England U18s beat France in South Africa

England U18s are two wins from two games in South Africa after beating France 23-6 in George.
Under the imposing gaze of the Outeniqua Mountains, Joe Marchant’s intercept try when the game was on a knife-edge at 9-6 swung the game into England’s favour and John Williams’ late try on debut sealed the win.
Fly-half Theo Brophy Clews added both conversions as well as two crucial earlier penalties, while Rory Jennings scored one three-pointer.
It wasn’t all plain sailing for England as France more than held their own in an even first half. But after going in 6-6 at the break, the second period belonged to England who pulled away towards the end.
Head Coach John Fletcher said: “It was another tough game, as it always is when you play France. I thought that we dominated the game for periods, but France defended and tackled well, and to be fair they had a long spell in our half.
“We made a few too many unforced errors, particularly early on in the game. But I thought that we were quite comfortable throughout and we’ve come through with each player on tour having had a start which will start us in good stead for Saturday’s game against South Africa.
“We know what South Africa will bring – they mirror the Seniors. They’ll be big and physical, which is what we expect, we’ll have to up our game and put in a big performance, which I know we are capable of.”
England U18s: Cameron Cowell (St Pauls & London Irish); Taylor Prell (Giggleswick & Yorkshire Carnegie), Joe Marchant (Peter Symonds & Harlequins), John Williams (St Pauls and London Irish), Ollie Thorley (Cheltenham & Gloucester); Theo Brophy Clews (Abingdon & London Irish), Rory Jennings (Bryanston & Bath); Owen Hills (QEW & Leicester), James Fish (Trent & Northampton), Ciaran Parker (St Ambrose & Sale, Capt.); Kieran Treadwell (John Fisher & Harlequins), Joe Maksymiw (QEW & Leicester); George Nott (Kings School Chester & Sale), Lewis Ludlam (St Joseph’s & Northampton), Charlie Beckett (QEW & Leicester).
Replacements: Ollie Adams (St Pauls & London Irish), Lewis Boyce (Prince Henry’s & Yorkshire Carnegie), Seb Adeniran-Olule (Wellington & Harlequins), Joe Batley (Hartpury & Gloucester), Sam Underhill (Sir Thomas Rich & Gloucester), Will Homer (Sherborne & Bath), Harry Mallinder (Rugby & Northampton), Rotimi Segun (Stowe & Northampton), Max Clark (Bryanston & Bath).