INTERNATIONAL WATCH: Josh Basham plays in England U18 triumph

London Irish’s Josh Basham featured for England Under-18s as they got their summer development tour off to a winning start with a 24-8 victory over France in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Former Wellington College pupil Basham, who played in the Singha Premiership Rugby 7s earlier this month, came off the bench at half-time to help England to victory.

Leading 19-3 at the break through tries from Will Porter, Will Capon and Cadan Murley, England pushed home their advantage in the second period with Murley bagging his brace.

Yesterday’s contest was the opening match of England’s three-game development tour in South Africa, where they will also play against Wales and South Africa Schools.

England opened the scoring courtesy of scrum-half Porter, who spotted a gap before jinking his way to the line. Louis Carbonel sent over a penalty for France moments later, but Capon stretched England’s lead from a driving lineout.

Murley then flew over in the corner after the three-quarters had created an overlap for the Harlequin back to cross before half-time.

England had Beck Cutting sent to the sin bin in the 59th minute before a period of brave defence kept France at bay and with three minutes remaining, Murley went over to give England an unassailable 24-8 triumph.

England U18 team to face France:
Nick David (Worcester Warriors & Warwick), Arron Reed (Sale Sharks & Kirkham Grammar), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints & Bedford School), Sam Spink (Wasps & Wellington College), Cadan Murley (Harlequins, Bishop Wordsworth's School), Kieran Wilkinson (Sale Sharks & Kirkham Grammar), Will Porter (Wasps & Merchant Taylors), Sam Moore (Sale Sharks & Sedbergh School), Aaron Hinkley (Gloucester & St Peters), Tom Willis (Wasps & Henley College), James Scott (Worcester Warriors & Malvern College), Joe Tunney (Wasps & Dr Challoners), Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers & Wyggeston & QEI College), Will Capon (Bristol & Bristol Grammar), Tom Rowland (Bristol & Bristol Grammar).

Replacements: George Head (Harlequins & Tonbridge School), Beck Cutting (Worcester Warriors & Bromsgrove), Nick Rigby (Worcester Warriors & Warwick), Josh Basham (London Irish & Wellington College), Richard Capstick (Exeter Chiefs & Exeter College), Ollie Fox (Yorkshire & New College Pontefract), Cameron Redpath (Sale Sharks & Sedbergh), Tom de Glanville (Bath & Beechen Cliff).

Results & fixtures
Friday 11 August: England U18 24-8 France - Paul Roos Gymnasium, Stellenbosch (1.15pm BST).
Tuesday 15 August: England U18 v Wales - Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl (1.15pm BST)
Saturday 19 August: England U18 v SA Schools - City Park, Athlone (1pm BST)