Latest news with #SixNationsUnder-20s
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
France down rivals England to finish with 100% record
France finished the 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series as the only team with a 100% record after downing England 52-39 in the competition's final match. Doubles from Faustine Piscicelli and Elina Folituu and further scores from Mailys Borak, Anaick Konyi, Zoe Jean and Julie Espinosa made sure France took the spoils in the battle between the two unbeaten sides. The results from the final day of #U6NSummerSeries action 🤩 — Six Nations Under-20s (@SixNationsU20) July 17, 2025 England, who had beaten Scotland and Italy in their first two games, gave as good as they got, scoring six tries of their own through Amelia MacDougall, Grace Clifford, Lucie Sams, captain Lucy Calladine, Sophie McQueen and Zara Green, but ultimately couldn't find an answer to the questions their opponents posed to them. France made a blistering start to the encounter as Borak crashed over after just three minutes, with Pauline Barrat adding the extras. Going behind sparked England into life and they were level 10 minutes later when MacDougall beautifully peeled off the back of a ruck, catching the French defence off-guard to dot down. Les Bleuettes got themselves back in front halfway through the first half as Piscicelli's dominant run allowed her to dash over England's tryline. Ella Cromack's penalty brought her side to within four points with a classy kick, but the U20 Red Roses were powerless to stop Konyi storm down the left wing to register France's third try. England responded with a period of sustained pressure which proved fruitful as Clifford scored from close range to reduce their deficit to six. Espinosa's yellow card seemingly didn't help the French cause but despite being down to 14 players, they extended their lead through Jean's try when the clock was in the red at the end of the first half. Sams gave England the perfect start after the break, burrowing over after multiple waves of attack on 43 minutes, but Folituu's close-range score three minutes later put France back in the ascendency. England would not lie down, however, retaliating almost immediately as skipper Calladine profited from England's forwards using their physicality to push France back. However, England ceded momentum back to their opponents as Espinosa made up for her earlier sin bin by opportunistically scoring in the left corner. Piscicelli's timely interception allowed her to bag a second try on the hour mark and with England down to 14 due to Millie David's yellow card on 68 minutes, France had the game under control. McQueen hit back when she crossed over, but Folituu's late second score capped a fine French victory despite Green rounding off the scoring for England in added time. Discover the future of international rugby at the 2025 Women's Summer Series – where rising stars shine. Follow the action live at and on Instagram @u20sixnations.
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Italy overcome Wales in thrilling Summer Series contest
Cheli's third score proved to be the difference during an absorbing encounter in which Italy took the lead four times in Caerphilly. It was a game that neither team deserved to lose, but ultimately Wales came up just short despite bagging four tries of their own. The two sides were quick out of the blocks as they both looked to assert themselves over the other during the opening exchanges. The results from the final day of #U6NSummerSeries action 🤩 — Six Nations Under-20s (@SixNationsU20) July 17, 2025 Wales were then able to up the ante and enjoyed success down the left wing with Nia Fajeyisan in particular causing Italy problems with her speed and athleticism. But it was Italy who broke the deadlock after 18 minutes through talismanic captain Elena Errichiello. The No. 8 has been a constant spark for her side during this Women's Summer Series, and she was able to cross over following a strong showing from her forwards near Wales' tryline. Lavinia Pratichetti ensured the extra two points, but the competition hosts rallied after falling behind. Molly Wakely breached the Italian backline on 25 minutes, capping off a period of Welsh pressure to get them on the scoreboard, and the side led by Branwen Metcalfe took the lead 10 minutes later when the dangerous Savannah Picton-Powell skilfully scored. Italy hit back after the break and took advantage of a Welsh lineout error five metres from their line. The throw went long from the touchline and Cheli capitalised to drive over. Pratichetti was clinical from the tee once again as Italy found themselves leading 14-12. But the game continued to unfold in a pendulum-like fashion as four minutes later, Wales retook the lead. A blistering move got the home side within touching distance of the Italian tryline down the right, but when it became obvious the left side would prove fruitful, the ball was worked brilliantly out wide, and Seren Singleton was on hand to finish the move off. Italy's physical prowess has been a strength of theirs through this Women's Summer Series and Cheli was able to score a virtually identical second try to her first – burrowing over off the back of a ruck – to hand back the initiative to the team in blue. Much like a heavyweight slugfest, both teams continued to trade blows, and Chiara Pearce landed the next telling shot, dotting down to edge Wales back in front for a third time. However, Cheli's third close-range try with six minutes to go, and Pratichetti 100% conversion record, proved decisive in one of the games of the competition. Discover the future of international rugby at the 2025 Women's Summer Series – where rising stars shine. Follow the action live at and on Instagram @u20sixnations.
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Metcalfe left to rue what might have been after Italy loss
Chiara Cheli's second-half hattrick ultimately proved decisive for Italy, with the substitute hooker's third try on 74 minutes proving to be the game winning score. It was a game that neither team deserved to lose, but ultimately Wales came up just short despite bagging four tries of their own through Molly Wakely, Savannah Picton-Powell, Seren Singleton and Chiara Pearce. The results from the final day of #U6NSummerSeries action 🤩 — Six Nations Under-20s (@SixNationsU20) July 17, 2025 But Wales were punished by their opponents for their ill-discipline, as a series of penalties helped Italy, including with Cheli's final score. 'I'm really disappointed with our discipline to be honest,' said Metcalfe. 'I know we can do a lot better than that. It's a shame we couldn't finish it off today. Our intent was great. We worked really hard, and I can't fault the girls' effort. It's just silly penalties in the end that let us down.' Having fallen behind to Elena Errichiello converted try, Wakely breached the Italian backline on 25 minutes to get Wales on the scoreboard. Wales then took the lead 10 minutes later through the dangerous Picton-Powell. Cheli put Italy back in control at 14-12 but Singleton finished off a brilliantly worked move to swing the pendulum back in Wales's favour. Italy's physical prowess has been a strength of theirs through this Women's Summer Series and Cheli was able to score a virtually identical second try to her first – burrowing over off the back of a ruck – to hand back the initiative to the team in blue. Much like a heavyweight slugfest, both teams continued to trade blows, and Pearce landed the next telling shot, dotting down to edge Wales back in front for a third time on 64 minutes. However, Cheli's third close-range try with six minutes to go, and Lavinia Pratichetti 100% conversion record, proved decisive in one of the games of the competition. The result means Wales finish the Women's Summer Series with a record of two defeats and one win having lost to Ireland 27-10 in their first game before bouncing back against Scotland, winning 52-29 on matchday two. Discover the future of international rugby at the 2025 Women's Summer Series – where rising stars shine. Follow the action live at and on Instagram @u20sixnations.
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Kone elated after Italy's thrilling win over Wales
Hooker Chiara Cheli produced a stand-out performance – bagging herself a second-half hattrick which included the match-winning try - during an absorbing encounter in which Italy took the lead four times in Caerphilly. It was a game that neither team deserved to lose, but ultimately Italy made sure they were on the right side of the result despite Wales scoring four tries of their own. The results from the final day of #U6NSummerSeries action 🤩 — Six Nations Under-20s (@SixNationsU20) July 17, 2025 It caps a pleasing turnaround for Italy who lost to France 46-5 in their opening game before falling 36-20 to England on matchday 2 having led that match 15-0 at half time. And full-back Kone was full of praise for her team's resolve during their final battle with the competition's hosts. She said: 'We are feeling pretty awesome right now. It was a tough game, but we kept on going and we believed in our team until the last minute. We're pretty proud of what we've done during this whole experience.' Italy's physical prowess has been their strength throughout the Women's Summer Series and Cheli was able to score all of her tries from close range off the back of good work by her fellow forwards. But Kone admitted Wales didn't make things easy for her side. 'It was a very tough game as Wales played pretty well, but we're very excited and happy with the result,' she continued. 'Absolutely [it was a physical game]. The Wales players are really tough, pretty big, but our defence was pretty thick, and we kept on going. I'm very proud of my teammates.' This has been the second incarnation of the Women's Summer Series, a tournament designed to give U20s players the opportunity to play more competitive rugby to help with their development, something which Kone thinks has helped her side over the past two weeks. She added: 'Absolutely [this gives us confidence going forward]. From this match we've grown a lot. We started [the tournament] against France and then the English, we've come a long way, and we've enjoyed it.' Discover the future of international rugby at the 2025 Women's Summer Series – where rising stars shine. Follow the action live at and on Instagram @u20sixnations.
Powys County Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
O'Connor delighted Ireland ended Summer Series with win
Robyn O'Connor was delighted with how Ireland bounced back to end their 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series in winning fashion. Braces from O'Connor and skipper Jane Neill – who won the Player of the Match award – and further tries from Alma Atagamen, Emily Foley, Sophie Barrett, Tara O'Neill, Aoibhe O'Flynn and Saoirse Crowe secured a comprehensive 62-7 victory over Scotland. The results from the final day of #U6NSummerSeries action 🤩 — Six Nations Under-20s (@SixNationsU20) July 17, 2025 It marked a return to winning ways after losing 41-12 to France on Matchday 2 having kicked off the competition in Caerphilly with a 27-10 triumph over Wales, and O'Connor expressed her happiness that her team was able to do that. She said: 'The team is very excited and proud of how we performed today. In comparison to the loss last week, we really came on and we tidied up the little bits that we needed to get better. We're all feeling great about that.' With the score 19-7 at half-time, Ireland scored 43 unanswered points in the second half with O'Connor securing 10 of those thanks to her two tries four minutes apart just after the hour mark. But the winger was quick to highlight the importance of her teammates for her individual success against the Scots and praised how the squad had gelled over the past two weeks. 'I was very happy with how I performed, but huge credit to the rest of the girls who were able to create space for me and get the ball to me,' she continued. 'I'm very proud of this team. We only came together at the beginning of this year, and we've become so close over the past two weeks here in Cardiff. We've really grown together as a team and that showed during this performance.' Ireland finished the competition alongside England, who also won two games, and were visibly ecstatic to round off their time in Wales with a win, and O'Connor said the team were going to enjoy the occasion, starting with a first cap presentation. She added: 'First off, we have to give Sally her new cap because she's a first capper, so we're going to celebrate her first appearance. Then we'll go for dinner and carry on enjoying ourselves.'
