England score stunning counter-attacking try with solo run from Josh Hodge
What a fantastic run from England winger Josh Hodge!
Wales were attacking very strongly down the left wing and they were unlucky to knock to ball on. But England winger Josh Hodge was on hand to power back down that same alley with a fantastic little bump on the Wales 10.
We have reported on Hodge in the past.
Hodge has had a fantastic tournament for the men in white and he’s put in some serious shifts.
CREDIT: World Rugby
In other news: England finish Fifth in Under 20s Championship
England sealed fifth place at the World Rugby U20 Championship with a 45-26 victory over Wales in Rosario, Argentina.
England led 28-0 at the break through tries from Josh Hodge, Will Capon, a penalty try and Joe Heyes, with Hodge adding the extras.
Wales scored second-half tries through Jac Morgan, Dewi Lake, Ed Scragg but tries from Fraser Dingwall and Ted Hill as well as Hodge’s penalty helped settled the game.
Despite pool victories over Italy and Australia, England didn’t progress to the top four of the Championship, having lost their opening game against Ireland.
Bates’ side were instead left to compete for fifth place, later defeating Ireland in the semi-final to set up a clash with Wales.
Hodge had the first try of the game, jinking past a couple of Wales defenders on the right wing before chipping over the top and collecting his own kick to dot down, also converting his score.
Capon bundled over off the back of a driving maul for a second try which Hodge converted for 14-0.
Wales lost Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler to the sin bin for an intentional knock on with a penalty try also awarded to give England a 21-0 lead and a pick and go from Heyes on the stroke of half time extended that lead further.
Wales scored two tries in quick succession Morgan and then later Lake bundling over off the back of a driving maul with Cai Evans converting both.
Dingwall was first to a spilled ball in the Wales 22m to dot down for a fifth England try.
Scragg scored a third for Wales via a driving maul and Evans’ conversion reduced the deficit to 35-21.
However, a late penalty from Hodge and Hill’s score in the corner settled the match, despite Dyer’s late try.
Steve Bates said: “The guys played really well in that first half, they took their opportunities well and that gave us a nice cushion at the break and put us in a commanding position.
“It’s hugely important to finish well, we wanted to make sure we won as many games as possible and the winner of the final will only have won as many as we have, which is four out of five.
