England claimed the 2021 Six Nations Under-20s Grand Slam after overcoming a stubborn Italy side 27-17 in a scintillating Round 5 clash at Cardiff Arms Park.
The Red Rose – who had already seen off France, Scotland, Ireland and Wales earlier in the campaign – started strongly in the Welsh capital and Orlando Bailey’s early try put them on course for a fifth bonus-point win in a row.
Jack Bates also crossed during a first half in which Italy grew in stature, and though Ion Neculai and Tommaso Di Bartolomeo notched tries for Massimo Brunello’s charges after the break, two scores from Arthur Relton saw England over the line.
Victory successfully buried Ireland’s slim hopes of leapfrogging England at the top of the ranks, sending the coveted trophy to Twickenham for the first time since 2017.
FAST START FOR THE RED ROSE
England may have only needed to avoid defeat to be crowned champions, but they signalled their winning intent from the off and pressure at the breakdown forced an early mistake from Alessandro Garbisi.
Relton caught the Italians napping down the blindside following the afternoon’s first scrum, and from the resultant penalty a sumptuous cross-field kick just evaded Tom Roebuck close to the try-line.
But England didn’t have to wait long to claim the opening score, the ball being spread wide to full-back Bailey who powered through a string of Italian defenders to touch down in the sixth minute.
Italy remained under the cosh in the wake of the try and a penalty conceded by Lorenzo Cannone afforded Tommy Mathews the opportunity to stretch England’s advantage to ten points from the tee.
Offside given against Garbisi invited another English attack, and after a piercing maul centre Bates finished off from close range before Mathews made it 17-0 with his second successful conversion.
Brunello’s Italians weren’t ready to lie down though and their first real venture into England’s 22 almost reaped a reward, with Nicola Piantella knocking the ball on inches from the try-line.
The Azzurrini gradually grew into the game, and although stern England defence continued to limit their threat up front, they stood firm themselves to prevent any further changes to the score before half-time.
ITALY FIGHT BACK
With such increased momentum Italy were first to strike after the restart, with Mattia Ferrarin slotting a penalty after Arthur Clark was penalised in the ruck.
In typical champions’ fashion England responded immediately, the ball being passed out to Relton from a scrum and the wing wizard using his burning pace to see off a handful of defenders and dot down.
But Italy bounced back themselves almost immediately, front-rower Neculai bulldozing over to remind Alan Dickens’ men that the match wasn’t a foregone conclusion.
A well-executed lineout led to a second Italian try through replacement hooker Di Bartolomeo, and Ferrarin added the extras to reduce their deficit to five points on the 54-minute mark.
England’s attempts to regain control of the contest were aided when Piantella was sent to the sin bin following a series of Italian infringements, and after a TMO decision went against the Red Rose, Relton’s second score secured the bonus point and indeed the Championship.
A second Italian yellow card for Flavio Pio Vaccari quelled any hopes of a stunning comeback, and England saw out the contest to secure a clean sweep of wins.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
England were under more pressure in this match than perhaps any other during the 2021 Six Nations Under-20s, and Arthur Relton produced the moments of magic that ultimately got them over the line.
The Exeter Chiefs star contributed a brace of tries and oozed class throughout the 80 minutes, playing a big part in the Red Rose’s Championship success.
