England maintained their 100 per cent start to the 2023 Under-20 Six Nations with a 32-25 victory over Italy at Kingsholm.
Sam Harris, Rekeiti Ma’asi White and Tobias Elliott helped England to a 20-8 half-time lead but the hosts lost two players to the sin-bin early in the second period to give Italy hope.
Marcos Gallorini crossed to bring Italy within five but Chandler Cunningham-South’s try restored England’s cushion, with Afolabi Fasogbon also crossing either side of Destiny Aminu’s second and Filippo Bozzini’s late score which ensured Italy earned two bonus points.
England started on top at Kingsholm and had two early opportunities to go ahead, only for wingers Josh Hathaway and Elliott to knock on when well placed.
The hosts were not to be denied a third time, however, and Sam Harris was the man to benefit as he sprinted clear from 40 metres out to open the scoring.
The full-back was unable to add the extras to his own try but England did not have to wait long to extend their lead, Ma’asi-White latching on to Monty Bradbury’s chip to crash over and add a try to his assist for the opening score.
This time Harris did slot the conversion but Italy responded well to going 12-0 down, building pressure inside the England 22 which was eventually rewarded when Destiny Aminu barged over to get the Azzurrini on the scoreboard.
Giovanni Sante’s conversion was charged down and the sides exchanged penalties, courtesy of Harris and Sante, before England had the final say in the first half.
Elliott was the man to finish a fine team move, athletically dotting down his second try in as many games in the right-hand corner to extend the lead to 20-8 at the break.
The hosts made life harder for themselves early in the second period with both Archie McArthur and Josh Hathaway sin-binned in the space of three minutes.
Italy did not need long to strike, Marcos Gallorini powering over from close range for a converted score which brought the visitors to within five points.
That was all they could muster with their two-man advantage, however, and England quickly re-asserted control and secured their bonus point through the outstretched arm of Chandler Cunningham-South, who joined Elliott in making it two tries in as many weeks.
Aminu soon crashed over for his second try of the evening but the conversion was missed by Andrea Bruniera, keeping England’s lead at seven points.
That soon became 12 when Fasogbon charged across the whitewash with five minutes to play to all but settle the outcome, though Bozzini ensured Italy had the final word by crossing in the dying seconds.
Alan Dickens’ unbeaten England now have a fortnight to prepare for a trip to Colywn Bay to face Wales in Round 3, with Italy hosting reigning champions Ireland on February 24.
