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Rugby News

Youngs leads England to victory in Rome

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Leicester Tigers scrum-half Ben Youngs starred in England's away victory over Italy in the final round of the 2020 Six Nations, helping to secure the Championship title for the national side. 

In his 100th appearance for England, Youngs scored two tries and led the side around the pitch from scrum-half in a dominant display in Rome. 

It took just four minutes for Youngs to get his first, trailing on the inside after a line break out wide, and the Tigers No.9 dotted down under the posts before it was converted by skipper Owen Farrell.

Farrell added a penalty seven minutes later before Italy hit back with a try to Gloucester back-rower Jake Polledri in the 17th minute. 

The visitors were down to 14 men soon after when Johnny Hill was shown yellow for a high tackle. 

Italty almost had a second just after the half hour mark but for the scrambling defence of the England team on their own line, who held them up before winning back possession and relieving the pressure with a dominant defensive scrum earning the visitors a penalty. 

Both teams, through unforced errors, missed out on scoring opportunities in the final stages of the first half to see them head into the break with just five points separating them, 5-10.

Youngs, again, came out of the blocks firing with a try in the opening minutes of the second-half in Rome, which Farrell converted to extend the lead to 12 points.

In his 50th England appearance, Jamie George found his way over for a try in the 51st minute and his Saracens team-mate Farrell added the extras to see the lead out to 19 points with half an hour remaining.

Tigers front-rower Ellis Genge was injected into the action from the bench soon after the third try for the visitors, brining energy and passion almost immediately to win England a penalty and end Italy's momentum as they attempted to fight their way back into the match. 

England secured a try bonus-point with a clever individual effort from Tom Curry down the blindside with 15 minutes remaining on the clock, before Henry Slade crossed for their fifth just five minutes later. 

Youngs was greeted with a standing ovation by team-mates when he was replaced in the 72nd minute, having done enough to win both the Guinness Man of the Match and England supporters' Player of the Match awards in his milestone appearance. 

Italy fought valiantly until the final whistle, however were unable to add to their first half try in the second and went down 5-34 at full time.