Leicester Tigers forwards Will Owen and Charlie Beckett helped England kick off the defence of their World Rugby U20 title with a 59-7 victory over Japan.Openside flanker Owen played the full game at the Stadio San Michele, Calvisano and was joined in the back row by Tigers teammate Beckett for the last 25 minutes of the championship opener after he came on as a second-half replacement.
England built a 45-0 half-time lead with tries from George Perkins, Jack Walker, Tom Howe and two apiece for Aaron Morris and Stuart Townsend. They added further tries after the break through Sam Skinner and, in the closing moments, Will Witty.
Head coach Jon Callard said: “I am pleased with that performance, we came out of the blocks and started really well. We were clinical with the opportunities that presented themselves to us.
"We are through the first game and will be all the better for the experience of dealing with the heat and conditions out here.”
England U20 v Japan U20
15 Aaron Morris (Saracens)
14 George Perkins (Saracens)
13 Nick Tompkins (Saracens)
12 Max Clark (Bath Rugby)
11 Tom Howe (Wasps)
10 Rory Jennings (Bath Rugby)
9 Stuart Townsend (Exeter Chiefs)
1 Ellis Genge (Bristol Rugby)
2 Jack Walker (Yorkshire Carnegie)
3 Paul Hill (Yorkshire Carnegie)
4 Will Witty (Newcastle Falcons)
5 Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, Captain)
6 Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints)
7 Will Owen (Leicester Tigers)
8 James Chisholm (Harlequins)
Replacements
16 Jack Innard (Exeter Chiefs) on for Jack Walker 40 mins
17 Sebastian Adeniran-Olule (Harlequins) on for Ellis Genge 40 mins
18 Ciaran Parker (Sale Sharks) on for Paul Hill 40 mins
19 Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs) on for Charlie Ewels 40 minutes
20 Charlie Beckett (Leicester Tigers) on for Lewes Ludlam 55 minutes
21 James Mitchell (Sale Sharks) on for Stuart Townsend 40 minutes
22 Lloyd Evans (Gloucester) on for George Perkins 70 minutes
23 Piers O’Conor (Wasps) on for Aaron Morris 40 minutes
England's Schedule: (Live on BT Sport)
June 2, England 59 - 7 Japan, KO 5.30pm BST, Stadio San Michele Calvisano
June 6, England v Wales, KO 7.30pm BST, Stadio San Michele Calvisano
June 10, England v France, KO 3.30pm BST, Stadio Luigi Zaffanella Viadana
June 15, Semi-finals and knock-out games. Details TBC
June 20, Final and knock-out games, Details TBC
News
Tigers duo play their part in England U20s win
3 June 2015 11:28 AM

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