Jonathan Pendlebury’s side were the only team to win all three of their matches, two of which arrived in dramatic fashion in the north of Italy.
There was also a memorable triumph for Georgia, while Scotland, Ireland and France finished their campaigns on two victories.
ENGLAND MAKE EARLY STATEMENT
James Linegar’s last-gasp conversion helped England to a nail-biting 36-35 win over Wales in Round 1.
In a topsy-turvy affair, Wales led in the closing stages after a brace from Tom Bowen but a try from George Knowles and nerves of steel from Linegar handed England a sensational victory.
France, undefeated in the 2022 and 2023 Festivals, made an imperious start to this year’s tournament with a 50-7 victory over Ireland after Malvyn Rates, Marceau Marzullo and Charly Mignot all crossed twice.
A second-half shut-out helped Italy to a 30-14 win over debutants Portugal, as five second-half tries overturned a nine-point half-time deficit.
Scotland were the other winners on the opening day, with Sam Leweni scoring an excellent try late on to seal a nervy 22-14 success over Georgia.
GEORGIA STAGE ALMIGHTY SHOCK
The Junior Lelos ended France’s winning streak with a pulsating 20-19 victory after Gigi Sirbiladze’s late conversion.
France led 19-10 in the second half but a penalty from Davit Tsiklauri and try from Anri Shvelidze brought them to within a point before replacement Sirbiladze held his nerve from wide to hand Georgia a memorable victory.
England maintained their fine start with a 28-6 triumph over Scotland. Tries from Seb Kelly, Finn Newton, Tyler Offiah and Fraser Rawlins set up a blockbuster final clash with giant-killers Georgia.
Elsewhere, Ireland and Wales claimed their first victories of the campaign. Tudor Jones scored twice in Wales’ 35-10 victory over Portugal, while captain Charlie Molony was on the scoresheet in Ireland’s 36-10 win against Italy.
ENGLAND UNBEATEN AGAIN
For the second time in three years, England finished with a perfect record following a tense 26-19 victory over Georgia.
A second-half double from Nick Lilley helped overturn a 9-5 half-time deficit, with the outside centre latching onto a basketball pass from Felix Bateman-Champain to complete the turnaround at the last.
France bounced back from their defeat to Georgia, edging a 43-33 thriller over Wales.
Marzullo and Mignot crossed for their second tries of the Festival and while Wales finished strongly with scores from Deian Gwynne and Joseff Jones, France held on.
Ireland were faultless in their final outing, powering to a 54-0 win over Portugal. Three of their seven tries arrived from lineout drives, with hooker Luke McLaughlin the beneficiary on two occasions.
And the Festival ended with a flourish as Scotland saw off Italy 20-17 thanks to Hamish MacArthur’s late penalty.
The replacement scrum-half earlier converted his own try to draw his side level before kicking Scotland to their second victory of the campaign at the death.
