Nine Dragons featured in the game but could not halt a second half onslaught as England overcame Wales 33-14 on the opening day of the men’s Six Nations Under-18s Festival in France.
Harri Ackerman, Huw Anderson, Sam Berry and Connal Couch all started the game in Marcoussis while Morgan Williams, Nick Thomas, Cam Davies, Ioan Duggan and Walker Price were among the replacements.
England’s rolling maul was the defining feature of their win, with Craig Wright getting them up and running with the first try from a rolling maul six minutes in, making it 8-0 after an earlier penalty.
Wales hit straight back with a delightful try finished off by Lucas de la Rua after lovely offloads from scrum half Rhodri Lewis and Dragons centre Ackerman.
A second maul try from Wright put England back in front at 13-7, but despite a yellow card reducing Wales to 14, they were next to score.
Full-back Isaac Morgan ran a great line to burst over, the conversion making it 14-13 but England had the final say in the first half, Connor Cross finishing off a brilliant team score to make it 18-14 at the break.
After a relatively even first half, England dominated the second, Finn Carnduff extending their lead before another maul try, this time replacement hooker Charlie Smith was the beneficiary. A late penalty from Morgan Meredith wrapped up the points for England.
Wales are next in action on Wednesday (April 13) when they tackle Ireland (kick-off 2.20pm) before facing France on Sunday (April 17) in a game that kicks off at 3.40pm.
