England Students recorded their first win over France Universities in eleven years on Sunday, winning 27-17 at Chester RUFC.
The side now head over to France to take on the same opponents in Bordeaux, looking for a 2-0 series victory, to do so though they will have to record their first victory in France in twenty years, longer than some of the squad have been alive.
On Sunday England took an impressive 20-3 lead into half time after tries from Exeter University’s Josh Pieterse and Hartpury College’s Robbie Smith, with a further ten points from the boot of Northumbria fly half Josh Bragman, meanwhile a penalty was all that France had to show for their efforts.
England stretched out to a 27-3 lead early in the second half when Smith went over for his second, with Bragman again converting, however France then came storming back.
Tires came through Clement Fontaine and Thibault Rampa, but with time on England’s side, they closed the game out at 27-17.
They now turn their attention towards Friday evening and the 7.30pm kick off at the Stade Gilbert Santiago in Bordeaux and a possible series victory.
England Students XV:
15 Will Partington (Bath Univeristy)
14 Jack Johnson (Hartpury College)
13 George Wacokecoke (Northumbria)
12 Charlie Wilson (Durham)
11 Robbie Smith (Hartpury College)
10 Josh Bragman (Northumbria)
9 James Elliot (Northumbria captain)
1 Josh Pieterse (Exeter University)
2 Christian Taylor (Manchester Metropolitan)
3 Alex Gibson (Hartpury College)
4 Bailey Ransom (Newcastle University)
5 Elliot Ward (Leeds Beckett)
6 Fitz Harding (Durham)
7 Yaree Fantini (Northumbria)
8 Jack Rouse (Exeter University)
Replacements: 16 Corey Lewis (Cardiff Metropolitan), 17 Conard Cade (Leeds Beckett), 18 Harry Seaward (Cardiff Metropolitan), 19 Paul Schroter (Exeter University), 20 Jack Kenningham (Bath), 21 Ben George (Hartpury College), 22 Paddy McDuell (Durham), 23 Matt Walsh.
England Students Fixtures/Results:
Sunday 14th April: 27-17 v France
Friday 19th April: v France, 7.30pm, Bordeaux.
