England Rugby Under 18 crowned European champions

England Under 18 have been crowned European champions for the second year in a row, winning the Justin Bridou Trophy after beating France 27-22 in front of 15,000 fans at the Stade de Alpes in Grenoble.

Tries from flanker Matt Bolwell, the College’s very own centre Nick Tompkins and prop Paul Hill secured the win, while fly half Josh Sharp kicked 12 crucial points.

England started brightly and wing Howard Packman made a strong break out wide but the French scrambled back to bundle the Northampton Saints man into touch.

It was France who got the first points on the board with a well taken penalty out wide, but England silenced the partisan crowd when Bolwell touched down a driving maul from a line-out to make it 7-3 after Sharp’s conversion.

Head Coach Fletcher added: “I’m delighted for all of the guys, it was a great game and both sides played their part – I thought we played well for large periods and deserved to get the win. Full respect to France though, they had the crowd behind them and pushed us all the way.”