England Students defeated by France Universities
England Students were defeated 43-38 by a France Universities side in Coventry.
France started the better of the two sides; a lofted pass out to the wing allowed full-back Antoine Lere to chip and chase for an early seven-point score.
England had a chance shortly after with a driving maul, but it was turned over. France executed a perfectly weighted 50/22 kick and capitalised off the lineout with a second early try, this time for second row Lilian Rinardo.
Despite the slow start England weren’t backing down. Dynamic backrower Jack Forsythe finished a lovely try after selling an excellent dummy.
The game slowed down in the middle 20 minutes of the first half, with both sides calming down after the frantic opening stages.
Eventually, the game picked up pace again; Morgan Meredith crossed first for England, before France's Lere scored his second of the afternoon.
England closed the opening half with a powerful driving maul which resulted in a third score, this time for Ollie Fletcher. With the conversion successful, there were only two points in the game.
HALF TIME SCORE: ENGLAND STUDENTS 19-21 FRANCE UNIVERSITIES
France started the second half strong with a dominant set of phases, eventually finding their way over the line through Thibaut Carrie, despite England’s best defensive efforts on their own line.
England responded with Meredith taking a three point opportunity to try close the gap on the French lead.
But France's offloading game created line breaks, eventually leading to a fifth try for the visitors.
The game was back and forth and England came straight back. From a lineout inside the 22’, they kept the ball tight until the French defence shortened up and released Josiah Edwards-Giraud for the finish in the corner.
England rumbled over from another driving maul try soon afterwards. Louie Kirkham dotted down to take the lead for the first time in the game.
France responded quickly, however, capitalising in the England 22 and scoring through replacement prop Valentin Tonin.
Tom Gulley crashed over for England from close range, again snatching the lead and forcing the visitors to take three points from the tee.
The successful kick closed the gap to just one point with the clock winding down. With just two minutes left, No.8 Aãtor Hourcade crossed for the decisive score.
The conversion was good, securing the 43-48 win for France and closing the book on a thriller in Coventry.
England Students squad v France Universities
Barnaby Waddell (Cardiff Met) Callum Hancock (Leeds Beckett) Charlie Briers (Loughborough) Charlie McCaig (Exeter) Connor Hancock (Leeds Beckett) Connor Moyse (Nottingham) Eric Nixon (Loughborough) George Taylor (Loughborough) Iwan Price-Thomas (Bath) Jack Forsythe (Exeter) Jay Ecclesfield (Nottingham Trent) Joe Mounsey (Newcastle) Joshua MacAndrew (Exeter) Josiah Edwards-Giraud (Hartpury) Louis Kirkham (Leeds Beckett) Lucas Dorrell (Exeter) Max Pepper (Durham) Morgan Meredith (Loughborough) Oliver Fletcher (Newcastle) Rhys William Price (Hartpury) Tom Gulley (Exeter) Thomas Matthews (Hartpury) Will Jeanes (Bath)
