France U18 won the Rugby Europe Men’s U18 7s European Championships in Lithuania this weekend, securing their place at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires in October as their prize.

They beat the back to back holders, Ireland, in the final by 26-17 to secure the title, having topped Pool B ahead of Germany, Romania, and Ukraine.

It was Germany that ended Team GB’s hunt for the title. Team GB had topped Pool C ahead of Georgia, Belgium, and the hosts, Lithuania. The quarter finals saw them face Germany, and Team GB had a good start, heading into the break 10-7 ahead thanks to tries from Sedbergh’s Tom Curtis and Kirkby Kendal’s Will Montgomery.

However Germany came storming back in the second half to take a 21-10 victory. Team GB recovered to beat Portugal and Italy to secure 5^th Place, while Germany lost 26-0 to Ireland in their semi final.

Speaking to www.englandrugby.com Team GB U18 7s Head Coach Russell Earnshaw said of his side’s tournament:

“It was obviously disappointing to have lost one game against Germany but there have been lots of things that we can take away to learn from and they’ve been excellent all weekend.”

“We’ve been really pleased with the way that all three nations have come together and everyone has had some really good individual moments across the board – I know they’ve all really enjoyed the experience of playing together as Team GB.”

Ireland just missed out on making it three titles in a row, but they will still be pleased with their tournament, having dominated Pool A before defeating Portugal and Germany, only narrowly losing to France in the final.

Final Rankings

1 France

2 Ireland

3 Spain

4 Germany

5 Team GB

6 Italy

7 Georgia

8 Portugal

9 Poland

10 Russia

11 Lithuania

12 Belgium

13 Luxembourg

14 Romania

15 Sweden

16 Ukraine

Cup Final

France 26-17 Ireland

3^rd Place

Spain 24-21 Germany

Semi Finals

Ireland 26-0 Germany

France 41-5 Spain

5^th Place

Team GB 17-14 Italy

7^th Place

Georgia 15-5 Portugal

Semi Finals

Team GB 35-17 Portugal

Italy 24-14 Georgia

Quarter Finals

Ireland 24-17 Portugal

Germany 21-10 Team GB

Spain 32-7 Italy

France 42-0 Georgia

9th Place (Challenge Trophy Final)

Poland 26-24 Russia

11^th Place

Lithuania 12-10 Belgium

Semi Finals

Russia 19-5 Belgium

Poland 29-7 Lithuania

13^th Place

Luxembourg 19-15 Romania

15^th Place

Sweden 26-7 Ukraine

Semi Finals

Luxembourg 19-10 Ukraine

Romania 45-0 Sweden

Quarter Finals

Russia 48-0 Luxembourg

Belgium 21-0 Ukraine

Poland 29-0 Sweden

Lithuania 24-19 Romania

Final Group Standings:

Team GB U18 7s Squad:

Blake Boyland (SGS Filton College & England)

Max Cunnington (Cardiff & Vale/Cowbridge & Wales)

Tom Curtis (Sedbergh & England)

Josh Hodge (Sedbergh & England)

Jay Jones (Glantaf & Wales)

Tony Lamerton (Cardiff & Vale Wales)

Rufus McLean (Merchiston Castle & Scotland)

Will Montgomery (Kirkby Kendal & England)

Tom Roebuck (Wirral Grammar & England)

Toby Smith (Brighton College & England)

Joe Wallace (Bedford & England)

Femi Sofolarin (Dulwich College & Scotland)

Ireland U18 7s Squad:

Ben Daly (Waterpark RFC/Munster)

Brian Deeny (Wexford Wanderers RFC/Leinster)

Hayden Hyde (Cranleigh/IQ Rugby)

Jack Hunt (Rockwell College/Munster)

Alex Kendellen (PBC Cork/Munster)

John Maher (Clongowes Wood College/Leinster)

Mark O’Brien (St. Michael’s College/Leinster)

Kevin O’Connor (Cashel RFC/Munster)

Ryan O’Neill (Royal School Armagh/Ulster)

Ronan Quinn (Glenstal Abbey/Munster, captain)

Andrew Smith (St. Michael’s College/Leinster)

Ben Watson (St. Gerard’s School/Leinster)