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Rugby News

Ben signs off Six Nations with try double

Leicester Tigers back-rower Ben Muncaster scored two of the tries as Scotland beat Ireland 42-40 in the final round of the Under-18 Six Nations Festival.

While Muncaster finished on a high note, there was disappointment for his Tigers academy colleagues George Martin, Jack Van Poortvliet and Joe Browning as England were beaten by France after two previous wins in the tournament.

A converted injury-time try gave Scotland a dramatic win at Kingsholm, Gloucester, on Sunday as they came back from 14-20 down at half-time and 35-38 behind in the closing stages.

No8 Muncaster, a pupil at Rugby School, pushed his way over the line for his opening try early in the second half. The conversion put the Scots 21-20 in front but the advantage was only brief in a rollercoaster match.

Ireland were in front at 28-21 when Muncaster added his second, supporting a break by Dan Gamble to dot down and the conversion put his side ahead again by a single point.

But it seemed like they would finish on the losing side as Ireland fought back once again until Finlay Callaghan’s late try on the right which levelled the scores before Harry Paterson added a trick conversion.

Scotland head coach, Ross Miller, said: “The workrate in the heat was phenomenal. The guys are obviously really pleased with the result but as always it's about what key learning we can take from the experience. The character and effort from the group can't be faulted today."

Scotland Under-18: Nathan Sweeney*; Harry Paterson, Matt Currie*, Scott King*, Cameron Furley; Alex Harley, Cameron Scott*; Cole Lamberton, Scott Clelland*, Dan Gamble*, Alex Samuel*, Jamie Campbell, Gregor Brown, Harri Morris, Ben Muncaster. Replacements: James Johnstone*, Ben Mace, Jamie Drummond, Struan Whittaker*, Rory Jackson*, Jamie Dobie*, Joseph Strain, Finlay Callaghan, Josh King*, Jordan Craig, Tom Jones. *Fosroc Scottish Rugby Academy supported player

England's final game of the Six Nations Festival ended in a 40-19 defeat to France at Kingsholm.

With Martin retained at lock after captaining England in both previous fixtures and club colleagues Van Poortvliet and Browning among the replacements, England had hoped to build on victories of Wales and Ireland but trailed throughout.

Head coach Jim Mallinder said: "It was a disappointing performance and a disappointing way to end the festival. France attacked with real intent and we just couldn’t stop them.

"We need to learn the lessons from this performance. Some of these players will come with us on tour to South Africa in the summer and others will move into our Under-20 programme and these fixtures will be important in their development."

England Under-18s: 15 Joe Carpenter Yorkshire Carnegie (Woodhouse Grove), 14 Jack Bates Bristol Bears (SGS College), 13 Tom Roebuck Sale Sharks (Wirral Grammar), 12 Orlando Bailey Bath Rugby (Beechen Cliff School), 11 Jude Williams Wasps (Caterham School), 10 Tom Curtis Sale Sharks (Sedbergh School), 9 Raphael Quirke Sale Sharks (St Ambrose College); 1 Phil Brantingham Newcastle Falcons (Royal Grammar School), 2 John Stewart Bath Rugby (Beechen Cliff School), 3 Luke Green London Irish (St Paul’s Catholic College), 4 George Martin Leicester Tigers (Brooksby Melton College), 5 Archie Benson Gloucester Rugby (Dean Close School), 6 Jack Clement Gloucester Rugby (Cheltenham College), 7 Josh Gray Gloucester Rugby (Dean Close School), 8 Nahum Merigan Bath Rugby (Beechen Cliff School)
Replacements: 16 Sam Riley Harlequins (St George's Weybridge), 17 Harry Fry Gloucester Rugby (Hartpury College), 18 Fin Baxter Harlequins (Wellington College), 19 Ewan Richards Bath Rugby (Millfield School), 20 Will Trenholm Harlequins (Cranleigh School), 21 Ollie Stonham Saracens (Felsted School), 22 Jack van Poortvliet Leicester Tigers (Oakham School), 23 Phil Cokanasiga London Irish (St Pauls College), 24 Joe Browning Leicester Tigers (Denstone College), 25 George Worboys Bath Rugby (Beechen Cliff)