Matchday 2 in the Men’s U18 Six Nations Festival was pretty spectacular, at headline level it all looked fairly as expected, France and England remain unbeaten while Ireland picked up their first victory, but in reality it was so much more dramatic than that.
France were in fine form to open the day’s play with a 32-10 victory over Scotland, although they were later to be overshadowed entirely by their women’s team, who beat England by a staggering 72-10 margin to end that campaign at the top of the pile – we will be picking up the women’s competition in more detail later in the week.
Ireland and Wales played out an absolute classic, both sides raining in tries in what felt a closer game than the 46-26 scoreline in Ireland’s favour suggested, a couple of intercepts and some clinical play really stretching the lead for Ireland.
The story of the day though was surely Italy coming within a whisper of beating England with an unbelievably determined display, built through a set piece with an iron core. England came through it though, taking a 28-21 victory to remain unbeaten and hot on France’s heels.
We have put together our own unofficial table, which shows just how tight things are at the top, with only a single points difference separating France and England.
To the team of the round though, and there were some absolutely terrific performances from players on all six teams, and indeed all six teams have ended up represented in this team of the round.
There were some incredibly close calls, not least in the front row, and left wing in particular was a position of excellence throughout the day…to the point where we have actually ended up with two in our side.
15 Ioan Jones (England)
It was a strange day for full backs, with none really jumping into the limelight. However Jones was on good form for England, scoring a try and showing some deft footwork throughout the game despite limited opportunity in what was a forward dominated game of rugby.
14 Hugo McLaughlin (Ireland)
One of the many to star on the left wing in Round 2, so in order to find space we have moved McLaughlin to the right. His intercept was a key moment for Ireland, but it was his work across the game that gets him in this side – consistently a threat with the ball in hand, but also working tirelessly in defence and poaching a crucial turnover near his own try line when Wales had their tails up. A top performance.
13 Louie Hennessey (Wales)
Starred in defeat to England last time out, and starred again against Ireland on Wednesday. Hennessey’s running game was a constant threat and he often looked in a class of his own. An intercepted pass resulted in a try, but it was never going to stop Hennessey making this side. Two brilliant performances in two games.
12 Luke Kritzinger (Ireland)
A late try capped a terrific performance from Kritzinger, who was by far an away the standout 12 of the day. He felt like the real defensive lynchpin of this Ireland U18 side and he was warrior-like at times in defence. In attack he shone too though, threatening the Welsh defence and eventually being rewarded with that late trot across the line.
11 Hoani Bosmorin (France)
His deft footballing skills for the opening try of the game against Scotland were pretty much good enough on their own to get him into this team of the round. Calling for the Crossfield from his fly half Tom Raffy, more on him in a second, he let it bounce and then on the half volley stabbed it past the onrushing defence before pouncing on it to score. Absolutely joyous to watch. A shout out to Scotland’s Amena Caqusau too, who again had some electric moments, so too Toby Cousins for England.
10 Tom Raffy (France)
France have got some good young tens, that’s for sure. Hugo Reus was in the Round 1 team, in Round 2 Raffy took the 10 shirt and, if anything, was even better. He played with superb maturity throughout the game and had things under total control, kicking from hand and from the tee with great confidence. As if that wasn’t enough, he then added the flair with a couple of delightful breaks. A truly outstanding performance.
9 Ben Douglas (England)
Rarely can a scrum half inject as much pace into a team’s performance as Douglas did against Italy for England. England were in a serious battle, but Douglas’ energy was a real difference maker while he was on the field. Scotland’s Murdoch Lock was also outstanding once again, very nearly making this team for the second round running after a performance that saw him emerge as a real talisman in this Scottish side.
1 Lino Julien (France)
At one point the entire French front row was pencilled into this team, in the end though the sheer quality of performances of other sides changed that. The French front row were awesome against Scotland though, and Julien on the loosehead side was a huge part of that, and offered a massive amount around the field as well.
2 Danny Sheahan (Ireland)
Ousted is French counterpart from this side thanks to a fantastic performance against Wales. It was not just Sheahan’s try scoring exploits that got him into this side, but his stupendous work around the field, winning turnovers and carrying like an absolute tank. Sheahan felt like the rock around which the Irish performance was built, such was the go-forward that he provided throughout.
3 Marcos Francesco Gallorini (Italy)
Italy know a thing or two about cult hero tightheads with flamboyant hairdos, and in Marcos Francesco Gallorini they may well have another. Gallorini was utterly brilliant against England, he was part of a front row that had some huge moments at scrum time, but then individually he just grew and grew, winning turnovers, making huge defensive plays, and even showing some deft handling. When he returned to the field late on, the cheer that greeted his arrival from the onwatching Scotland side told you everything about Gallorini’s performance.
4 Harvey Cuckson (England)
Cuckson was on cracking form against Italy, doing the business in the tight with some exceptional lineout work, but also showing some real quality in the loose too cutting through the Italian defence in a way an outside back would be proud of and then, to cap it all, scoring a try late on that ultimately was to prove the difference between the two sides. Wales’ Jonny Green was also exceptional, his workrate appearing ever more superhuman with each passing game.
5 Tommaso Ferrari (Italy)
Ferrari was top lass in the second row for Italy, playing almost like a back row such were his breakdown exploits and the energy that he was bringing in defence. His head to head with Cuckson was awesome to watch, but it was his passion that stood out above all, lifting teammates all around him as Italy took themselves to the verge of a famous victory.
6 Finn Carnduff (England)
Carnduff was good in Round 1 but exceptional in Round 2, with key interventions throughout the game against Italy. The icing on the cake through was a turnover in the very last play, with Italy chasing a score that would level the game if they converted it. In those moments it takes more than just skill to execute the turnover, it takes precision, timing, and no little bravery – giving away a penalty is not an option. Carnduff executed perfectly, and in doing so cemented his already certain place in this XV.
7 Morgan Morse (Wales)
Number 8 was again a position of real strength in this round, and so we have had to be a bit cheeky and have moved Morse from 8 to 7 in a bid to shoehorn him in. Morse was outstanding for Wales against Ireland, as he was against England last time out. Not even a yellow card could dampen the quality of his performance, in what was a strong all round showing from the Welsh back row. England’s Tristan Woodman was again excellent too.
8 Tom Currie (Scotland)
In a tough day at the office for Scotland, Currie was a leading light. His ball carrying was absolutely outstanding – especially in the wide channels where he moved like a young Kieran Read. Between Currie and Lock, Scotland have an 8-9 combination to threaten any side in this tournament, and against France on Wednesday Currie was a constant threat enough to make this side despite strong performances from just about every number 8 in the competition on Wednesday.
