Round 1 of the Six Nations Under-20s delivered plenty of entertainment as the next generation announced themselves on the international stage.
Ireland, England and Wales all emerged from Cardiff Arms Park victorious and there were plenty of impressive scores, so with that in mind it’s time to vote for your Try of Round 1.
Nelson Epee – England v FRANCE
Nelson Epee lit up Round 1 with a hat-trick inside the first 20 minutes against England, even if France did go on to lose 38-22.
His first try was the pick of the bunch, as the young French flyer dived over in the corner after brilliantly quick hands from Thibault Debaes, Leo Barre and then Alexandre Tchaptchet offloading out of the tackle.
Elliot Gourlay – SCOTLAND v Ireland
Scotland would ultimately lose 38-7 to Ireland but they were matching the reigning champions in the early going and Elliot Gourlay’s try on 20 minutes drew them level at 7-7.
After powerful carries in the tight deep in the 22, Scotland fly-half Cameron Scott tried something a little more expansive as he stabbed a precise grubber kick through the defence and Gourlay expertly collected a bouncing ball to dive over the whitewash
Arthur Relton – ENGLAND v France
England’s second-half comeback from 19-3 behind at the break to win 38-22 was nothing short of spectacular and Arthur Relton’s try 15 minutes from the end was a real dagger blow to France.
Jack Clement drove his way to within inches of the French line before the ball was spread left, where fly-half Fin Smith drew a defender, half-dummied and then looped a perfect long pass out to Relton on the touchline for a simple run-in.
Shane Jennings – Scotland v IRELAND
With Ireland in control midway through the second half, Shane Jennings put an exclamation mark on the convincing victory over Scotland by streaking away for a superb score.
On the halfway line, the Irish backs shifted the ball to the left where Cathal Forde showed quick hands to flick a pass to Jennings, who cut inside an over-committed defender and then showed his pace to blaze clear of any other would-be tacklers and dot down near the posts.
