By David Parsons
Wales suffered a heart-breaking 36-35 defeat to arch rivals England with the last kick of the game in their opening round clash of the U18 men’s Six Nations Festival in Parma.
Richie Pugh’s side showed great courage and character to get within a whisker of overturning a big English side.
They led 35-29 going into the dying moments before conceding a try from a driving line-out with the clock in the red.
That brought the English team back to within a point and left their outside half James Linegar with a tricky conversion to win the game. He hit the target with a superb strike and the victory went to the boys in white.
Patrick Hogg kicked off England’s campaign as he crashed under the posts before Jonny Vyman doubled their lead.
Wales soon responded first through Carwyn Jones before a penalty try was awarded as Hogg was sent to the sin-bin for bringing down the maul just before the try line.
Ice in his veins 🥶@BathRugby’s James Linegar kept his cool amid a frantic finale as our England U18 Men's team sealed victory over Wales with the last kick of the game.
Tap below to watch a WILD final few minutes 🎥
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) March 31, 2024
Despite the man disadvantage, England scored through captain Connor Treacey, but Wales took a two-point lead into the break with Tom Bowen crossing having been fed the ball from the line-out.
Wales extended their advantage through Stef Emmanuel before a fine intercept try from George Pearson on the wing cut the gap to just two.
Linegar kicked England into the narrowest of leads before Bowen hit back again to slice through but Linegar’s boot would prove decisive.
George Knowles got England within a point of Wales before Linegar nailed his conversion with the clock in the red to secure a dramatic win
Wales U18 scorers: Tries: Tom Bowen (2), Caio James, ff Emmanuel, Pen Try; Cons: Carwyn Jones 4.
It's not just in the Guinness Women's Six Nations that England and Wales are going head to head
The U18 Men's side are locked in a tense battle in the U18s Six Nations Festival
Watch live now 👇
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) March 30, 2024
Wales U18
15 Jack Woods (Monmouth School/Dragons)
14 Tom Bowen (Clifton College/Bristol Bears)
13 Lewis Edwards (YGG Gwyr/Ospreys)
12 Steffan Emanuel (Millfield/Bath Rugby – CAPT)
11 Joseff Jones (YGG Glantaff/Cardiff Rugby)
10 Carwyn Jones (Llandovery College/Scarlets)
9 Sion Davies (YGG Glantaff/Cardiff Rugby);
1 Dylan James (Bridgend College/Ospreys)
2 Tom Howe (YGG Glantaff/Cardiff)
3 Jac Pritchard (Coleg Sir Gar/Scarlets)
4 Will Evans (Llandovery College/Scarlets)
5 Tom Cottell (Castell Alun High School/RGC)
6 Dom Kossuth (Coleg Sir Gar/Scarlets)
7 Caio James (Hartpury/Gloucester)
8 Deian Gwynne (Hartpury/Scarlets)
Replacements
16 Ruben Cummings (Hartpury/Gloucester)
17 George Tuckley (Monmouth School/Dragons)
18 Alex Bosworth (Hartpury/Gloucester)
19 Sam Williams (Coleg Sir Gar/Scarlets)
20 Keanu Evans (YGG Strade/Scarlets)
21 Tudor Jones (YGG Llangefni/RGC)
22 Steffan Jac Jones (Hartpury/Scarlets)
23 Jack Harrison (Beechen Cliff/Bath Rugby)
24 Dylan Alford (Coleg Llandrillo/RGC)
25 Ryan Jones (Hartpury/Dragons)
26 Harrison Doe (Gower College/Ospreys)
Men’s Six Nations U18 Festival – Day 1
Georgia 14 – 22 Scotland
Italy 30 – 14 Portugal
Ireland 7 – 50 France
En gland 36 – 35 Wales