Witty Impresses On England Debut
Will Witty topped off a stellar England Under 20s debut with a try in the dying minutes of his team’s game against Japan in Calvisano yesterday.
Witty, 20, played a full eighty minutes in the game which saw England begin the quest to retain their World Rugby Under 20 Championship title with a 59-7 victory.
England were dominant from the outset, creating a 45-0 lead by half time with seven tries, including a brace a piece for Aaron Morris and Stuart Townsend.
An eight try for the reigning champions came shortly after the re-start but Japan continued to pressurise, and gained a penalty try for their efforts.
Continuing the sturdy and impressive form he showed during 2014/15’s European Rugby Challenge Cup and Aviva A League, as well as in his two Aviva Premiership appearances towards the end of the season, Falcons Academy player Witty gave a good account of himself throughout the match.
The Malton-born Lock topped off his debut in the best possible way though, heading over the line from short range in the dying minutes of the game to touch down for England’s final try and set the score at 59-7.
Speaking after the game England Under 20s Head Coach Jon Callard said: “I’m 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.
“To Japan’s credit, they were very good and stretched us on the edge with their attacking play. 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’s next game in the Under 20s World Championships will see them face Wales this coming Saturday (ko 7.30pm) with the game being shown live on BT Sport 1.
**England 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)
17 Sebastian Adeniran-Olule (Harlequins)
18 Ciaran Parker (Sale Sharks)
19 Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs)
20 Charlie Beckett (Leicester Tigers)
21 James Mitchell (Sale Sharks)
22 Lloyd Evans (Gloucester)
23 Piers O’Conor (Wasps)
**England scorers**
Tries: George Perkins, Walker, Howe, Skinner, Witty, Morris (2), Townsend (2)
Conversions: Jennings (7)
