England Counties U18 won the opening game of the International Triangular Festival at Hartpury College on Saturday, beating a France U18 XV 7-5.

All the scoring came in the opening ten minutes of the game, with France taking the lead within two minutes, going 5-0 ahead, before QEGS Penrith fullback James Spencer scored for the England Counties XV, with Warwick’s Jamie Shillcock converting.

England then produced a stunning defensive display to keep the powerful French side out for the remainder of the game, led by the outstanding Myerscough College blindside Joseph Duffy, and captain John McKenzie of RUnshaw College. It set up an historic win against the French, their first victory over them in nine years.

The next game in the Festival takes place on Wednesday, with Ireland U18 Clubs and Schools facing the France U18 XV, before the Festival culminates on Saturday with England Counties U18 v Ireland Clubs & Schools U18 in an 11am kick off

England Counties U18 XV:

15 James Spencer (Queen Elizabeth GS, Penrith)

14 Myles Bean (King Edward VI School)

13 Connor Hayhow (St Paul’s School)

12 William Newett (Grammar School at Leeds)

11 Benjamin Usher (The Priory Academy)

10 James Shillcock (Warwick School)

9 Ruaridh Dawson (Newcastle School for Boys)

1 Harrison Berresford (Hautlieu School)

2 Tom Doughty (St Bartholomews School)

3 Jack Conteh (Myerscough College)

4 John McKenzie (Runshaw College, captain)

5 Joshua Novell (Bedes School)

6 Joseph Duffy (Myerscough College)

7 Matthew Palphreyman (Wirral GS)

8 Dylan Morris (Reed’s School)

Replacements:

John Whittaker (Sandbach School),  Owen MacCuish (Sandbach School),  Kiaran Knight (St Peter’s School),  Cameron Gray (The Oratory School),  Justin Rowland (George Abbot School),  Max Hill (Worcester Sixth Form College),  Jacob Atkins ( St Pauls School),   Fergus Wood (Ardingly College),   Aaron Martin (Bilton School).