England thrash Scotland to keep up U20 Grand Slam bid

Men's Under-20 Six Nations

England (31) 57

Tries: Ridl, Tuipulotu 2, James, Raymont, Burrow, Bracken, Pearson, Hall Cons: Coen 4, Bellamy 2

Scotland (8) 13

Tries: Watson, Duncan Pen: Brown

England took a step closer to an Under-20 Six Nations Grand Slam by hammering Scotland in Newcastle.

Exeter Chiefs wing Campbell Ridl glided through for the opening try, but Scotland quickly responded when Fergus Watson dotted down from a pinpoint cross-field kick.

However, England dominated the remainder of the first half as hooker Kepu Tuipulotu crossed twice, with number eight Kane James and prop Tye Raymont also scoring.

Captain Tom Burrow, George Pearson, Jack Bracken and Angus Hall all scored in a dominant second-half display.

Flanker Oliver Duncan cut a sharp line to score another try for the visitors, who never looked like picking up their first win this campaign after defeats by Italy and Ireland.

Hooker Tuipulotu impressed throughout to pick up the player-of-the-match award, with his barnstorming run and grubber kick helping to set up James' try a highlight moment.

Having beaten Ireland and France in their opening two games, Mark Mapletoft's side remain in a strong position to win a Grand Slam for the first time since 2021.

England won the title last season but failed to secure the Grand Slam because of a thrilling 32-32 draw with Ireland.

The next round of fixtures will be on 7 March, when England next face Italy while winless Scotland face Wales.

England: Pearson; Bracken, Hall, Lilley, Ridl; Coen, Friday; McEachran, Tuipulotu, Raymont, Sodeke, Burrow (capt), Kpoku, Timmins, James.

Replacements: Gulley, Scola, Sela, Ainsworth-Cave, Treacey, Weimann, Bellamy, Offiah.

Scotland: Brown; Moncrieff, Ventisei (capt), Yule, Watson; Urwin, Cowan; Shearer, Stephen, Blyth-Lafferty, Godsell, Halkon, Duncan, Douglas, Logan.

Replacements: Roberts, McKenna, Stewart, Moss, Allen, MacArthur, Waugh, Wolfenden.