Pollock puts England on the front foot

HENRY Pollock’s superb hat-trick helped England U20s to victory against Italy away from home for the first time in six years as they got their Six Nations campaign off to a flying start. 

- NICK POWELL

Italy looked the better of the sides in the first quarter but after Newcastle speedster Ben Redshaw scythed through the Azzurrini defence he fed Pollock for an opener, before the English openside got another with an impressive solo score.

Skipper Finn Carnduff gave England a 16-point buffer before half-time with the visitors looking much more comfortable, and Josh Bellamy secured the bonus point as the game ticked into the last 15 minutes.

And though Italy drove a maul over for a consolation effort, Pollock wrapped up his hat-trick through the same method to secure a comfortable victory.

“To come out here was a really good challenge for us,” star man Pollock said. “I’m really proud of how the boys got stuck into that. It’s a massive testament to us as a group to perform like that coming away to this country for the first time and we’re really happy with the five points. One to 23 all did really well.”

England’s preparation for the game was disrupted by the loss of scrumhalf Archie McParland to illness, who was replaced by replacement nine Ben Douglas before kick-off.

Things were made worse after the contest got underway with outside centre Ben Waghorn having to be replaced after only 10 minutes due to a concussion.