England Counties Under 18s produced a superb defensive display to record their first win over French opposition in nine years in the opening match of the Triangular International Festival at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire this evening.

They recovered from conceding a second minute try to France’s left wing Sebastien Camiade to take the lead with ninth minute try from full-back James Spencer which fly-half Jamie Shillcock converted.

Despite the obvious physical threat of French centre Thomas Alviani, England grew in confidence and character and a try-less last 61 minutes and celebrated their first win for three seasons.

“We haven’t won for two years and it’s the first time we have beaten France in nine years so I am fairly emotional and very proud,” said England Counties Under 18s head coach Dave Reed.

“I just wish we had them a little bit longer. We have had 15 contact hours with them so to produce a win like that in the style we did in 15 hours is a phenomenal achievement.

“It’s a phenomenal achievement for their development programme as well. It’s a development side and you could see from the first whistle to the last whistle that they had developed.

“They had developed in a game of rugby and the more games we can get them to play they are only going to get better.

“The French are a physical side and they are always going to come out and be physical but we set the tone with the first couple of tackles. We were going to be as physical and we matched them time and time again.

“It was lovely to see the lads from minute one to minute 70 put the tackles in. It’s a great achievement and I am proud of them.”

Reed, who will end his nine year association with England Under 18 teams after next Saturday’s festival finale against Irish Clubs Under 18s, praised all of his players but picked out blindside flanker Joe Duffy as his man of the match.

“The French try got us on the back foot a little bit.  We hoped we might score early but the character came out and showed that we had the ability to go behind and come back and win,” Reed said.

“We also showed that we had the ability to hold on to a win as well. Although not a big win but we held on for a two point win and it was fantastic.

“I thought they all played well and they have all developed in a fantastic way but I thought Joe Duffy was outstanding and probably, in my opinion, was man of the match. He’s a great talent.”

The International Triangular Festival at Hartpury College continues on April 1 when the French and Irish teams meet at 2pm. The festival finale on April 4 kicks off at 11am.

England Counties Under 18s

15. James Spencer (Queen Elizabeth GS, Penrith RFC and Cumbria)
14. Myles Bean (King Edward VI School, Bedford Blues RFC and Warwickshire)
13. Connor Hayhow (St Paul’s School, Bracknell RFC and Berkshire)
12. William Newett (Leeds GS and Yorkshire)
11. Benjamin Usher (The Priory Academy, Newark RFC and Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire),
10. James Shillcock (Warwick School, Worcester RFC and Warwickshire)
9. Ruaridh Dawson (Newcastle School for Boys, Blaydon RFC and Northumberland)

1. Harrison Berresford (Hautlieu School, Jersey RFC and Hampshire),
2. Tom Doughty (St Bartholomews School, Hove RFC and Sussex)
3. Jack Conteh (Myerscough College, Sale Sharks and Lancashire)
4. John McKenzie (captain, Runshaw College, Preston Grasshoppers RFC and Lancashire)
5. Joshua Novell (Bedes School, Crowborough RFC and Sussex)
6. Joseph Duffy (Myerscough College, Sale Sharks and Lancashire)
7. Matthew Palphreyman (Wirral GS, Wirral RFC and Cheshire)
8. Dylan Morris (Reed’s School, Wimbledon RFC and Surrey)

Replacements used:

John Whittaker (Sandbach School, Sandbach RFC and Cheshire), Kiaran Knight (St Peter’s School, Matson RFC and Gloucestershire), Cameron Gray (The Oratory School, Maidenhead RFC and Berkshire), Justin Rowland (George Abbot School, Chobham RFC and Surrey),  Jacob Atkins (St Pauls School, Bracknell RFC and Berkshire).