Chester’s George Nott made an instant impact as England got their World Rugby Under-20 Championship campaign off to the perfect start in Manchester on Tuesday with a 48-10 victory over Italy.
The hosts put Italy to the sword to record a bonus point victory and Sale Sharks starlet Nott, a former pupil at The King's School and Chester RUFC junior, got the home party started by scoring England’s opening try inside the first five minutes.
Martin Haag’s side led 17-3 at the break with tries from 20-year-old Nott and Sam Aspland-Robinson as well a conversion each for Theo Brophy Clews and captain Harry Mallinder, who also sent over a penalty.
Italy’s first half points came from a long-range drop goal through the boot of Leonardo Mantelli.
England dominated the second period. A Mallinder penalty as well as tries for Joe Marchant, a penalty try, Jack Singleton, Zach Mercer gave them an unassailable lead.
Mallinder also sent over two second-half conversions as did Max Malins and while Italy had the final say of the game with a late converted try through Lorenzo Robin Masselli the match belonged to England.
Haag credited his side for their impressive start to the tournament, praising their attacking rugby but added they would need to improve their accuracy ahead of Saturday’s game against Scotland.
"We played some great attacking rugby, with some real intent which is what we are trying to do," said Haag.
"At times it wasn’t as accurate as we would have liked it to be. As a group we have standards we are aspiring to and want to express ourselves in our play.
"We had the intent but we just weren’t quite accurate enough but that will come. It was great to blow the cobwebs away and now we need to recover ahead of a big game on Saturday."
Elsewhere in England’s group, Scotland defeated Australia 15-10 in what was a hard fought encounter at the AJ Bell Stadium in Salford.
