England U18 began the U18 International Series in South Africa with a 15-7 victor over one of their closest rivals this season, France, at the City Park Stadium in Cape Town.

Wellington College leaver Sam Aspland-Robinson was the hero on the day, crossing the whitewash twice to help England to their second victory over France this season, having lost to them in the third encounter between the two, at the Rugby Europe U18 European Championships.

Both of Aspland-Robinson’s tries came from some inspiration from scrum half Jack Maunder, of Blundell’s School, who twice to tap and go penalties to release the flying winger, who was being watched by the current Wellington College 1^st and 2^nd XVs, who are on tour in the area.

Abingdon School leaver, and the youngest ever London Irish try-scorer, Theo Brophy-Clews, converted the second of Aspland-Robinson’s tries to give England a 12-0 half time lead.

The second half was to prove an altogether more difficult task as France immediately went on the offensive, scoring an early converted try, before later looking as though they had leveled the game, only for the referee to call them back for crossing.

England survived though, and when Theo Brophy-Clews slotted a penalty later on in the half, the game was secured at 15-7.

Full Time: England U18 15-7 France U18

England U18 XV:

15. Darren Atkins (Bath Rugby, Millfield School)      

14. Sam Aspland-Robinson (Harlequins, Wellington College)

13. Dominic Morris (Saracens, New Hall School)

12. Max Malins (Saracens, Felsted)             

11. Rotimi Segun (Northampton Saints, Stowe School)

10. Theo Brophy Clews (London Irish, Abingdon School)

9. Jack Maunder (Exeter Chiefs, Blundell’s School)

1. Billy Keast (Exeter Chiefs, Truro College)               

2. Joe Mullis (Gloucester Rugby, Chosen Hill)

3. Billy Walker (Saracens, Oaklands College)

4. Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, Haileybury College)         

5. Alex Moon (Northampton Saints, Sedbergh School)

6. Archie White (Harlequins, Epsom College)

7. Will Allman (Northampton Saints, Trent College)

8. Callum Chick (Newcastle Falcons, Gosforth Academy, captain)

Replacements

16. Curtis Langdon (London Irish, St Pauls Sunbury)

17. Jake Pope (Sale Sharks, Myerscough College)

18. Charlie Capps (Yorkshire Carnegie, Prince Henry’s)         

19. Josh Caulfield (Exeter Chiefs, Bicton College)    

20. Josh Bayliss (Bath Rugby, Millfield School)          

21. Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby, Merchiston Castle School)

22. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, Lymm HS)

23. Johnny Williams (London Irish, St Pauls Sunbury)              

24. Max Wright (Yorkshire Carnegie, Prince Henry’s)

25. Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins, Trinity)      

26. Ali Crossdale (Newcastle Falcons, Sedbergh School)

Scorers:

Tries: Sam Aspland-Robinson 2

Conversion: Theo Brophy Clews

Penalty: Theo Brophy Clews

Schedule:

Friday 7th August: England Under 18 15-7 France Under 18, City Park Stadium, Cape Town – 13.00KO

Tuesday 11th August: England Under 18 vs South Africa Under 18 A, Outeniqua Park, George – 12.00 KO

Saturday 15th August: England Under 18 vs South Africa Under 18, City Park Stadium, Cape Town – 14.00 KO