The 2023 Under-20 Six Nations returns for Round 4 this weekend with the destination of the Championship still hanging in the balance.
England lead the way, boasting three straight bonus-point wins, while Ireland are just a point behind them in second following three wins from three themselves.
France are still in the race for the Championship, sitting third on 11 points, and Italy’s five bonus points leave them in fourth despite the fact they are yet to win a match.
Scotland are fifth following one win from three, which came against Wales – who go into the final two rounds in sixth.
All six teams have played some stunning rugby throughout the Championship, and there is still more to come.
So, ahead of Round 4, let’s look at the story so far…
Italy frighten France, Ireland impress and England helped by hat-trick heroics
Andrea Bruniera missed a crucial conversion at the death as France narrowly beat Italy 28-27 in Round 1.
The Azzurrini impressed throughout and looked as if they would walk away with the win when Matthias Douglas went over in the 83rd minute to put his side within a point of victory.
But Bruniera could not add the extras as France held on for the tightest of victories despite being outscored by five tries to two.
In Colwyn Bay, Ireland came back from 15-14 down at the break to beat Wales 44-27, thanks in part to a stunning second-half performance from fly-half Sam Prendergast.
Wales were outstanding in the first half, taking a lead into the interval courtesy of tries from Louie Hennessey and Llien Morgan.
But Prendergast was at the heart of his side’s second half resurgence and magnificently set up James Nicholson to score twice as the visitors pulled away.
The performance of the round arguably went to England winger Josh Hathaway, who scored a 15-minute hat-trick in his side’s 41-36 victory over Scotland at Twickenham Stoop.
Hathaway’s third finish left England 17-10 ahead, but in a rollercoaster of a game in West London, England would go 36-31 behind before ultimately coming out on top.
Scotland win at last, Ireland edge past France and Italy go toe-to-toe with England
In Round 2, Dan King kicked a crucial late penalty as Scotland recorded their first Under-20 Six Nations win in almost three years.
The hosts took an early lead through Rudi Brown’s try but Byron Hayward’s side showed real grit to score 17 points to Scotland’s seven during a 30-minute period where Wales were reduced to 13 men on two occasions.
Full-back King held his nerve from the tee with 11 minutes to play, however, as Scotland held on for their first triumph since a 52-17 triumph over Wales in 2020.
Sam Prendergast again took centre stage for Ireland, kicking a dramatic 77th-minute penalty in a 33-31 win against France.
The match was a battle between the top two teams from last year’s Championship and the lead changed hands multiple times, with France scoring five tries to Ireland’s three.
But Prendergast was almost flawless from the tee and slotted the vital late kick to ensure Ireland started with back-to-back wins.
And at Kingsholm Stadium, England survived a resurgent second-half performance from Italy to secure a 32-25 bonus-point win.
The hosts were 20-8 ahead at the break but the Azzurri were soon within five, with England needing Afolabi Fasogbon’s late try to settle any lingering nerves and secure another bonus point win, Italy taking two bonus points of their own in a losing cause.
France and England at their best while Ireland see off Italy
England scored six tries in a 37-21 win against Wales that saw them end Round 3 in poll position.
The visitors had a bonus point wrapped up inside half an hour but Wales did not go down without a fight and brought themselves back to within four points when Oli Andrew crossed for his second.
But England replacement Ben Waghorn made a decisive impact, scoring twice in the final 20 minutes to secure maximum points for his side.
Les Bleus went one step further, crossing seven times against Scotland in a 54-12 win at Stade Armandie.
Player of the Match Lenni Nouchi scored twice as France set themselves up perfectly for a mouth-watering clash against England at The Recreation Ground in Round 4.
A spirited Italy side, meanwhile, picked up another try bonus point in a 44-27 defeat against Ireland.
They scored three tries after the break to battle back from 27-8 down at half-time but scores from Hugh Cooney and Rory Telfer kept Ireland’s chances of recording back-to-back Grand Slams alive.
They travel to Scotland in Round 4, while Italy host Wales ahead of their own trip to Scotstoun a week later.
