The Counties U20s are in Hungary for a two-match tour as part of the RFU’s Unity Project which aims to support the development of Rugby Union across Europe.
And they had a night to remember in hot conditions at the Esztergom RCH Stadium in Budapest last night as they put on a masterclass against a Barbarians side which included Hungary’s most-capped player and several more with full international honours, as well as experience of playing for club sides in England.
Team manager Peter Vernon said: “Coaches Richie Williams and Paul Arnold were pleased with the squad’s. They were pleased with the result but also impressed with the delivery of their game plan, having only had since our arrival two days to prepare.
“Today being a rest day, the squad will take part an outreach programme within the local community and sightseeing before preparing for Sundays’ International against Hungary U20s (3pm BST).”
England ran in a remarkable 14 tries last night, with much of the damage done in the first half as they raced into a 52-5 advantage.
Kent scrum-half Tom Trotter opened the scoring with the first try on four minutes. Middlesex’s Louis Haddow and Warwickshire’s James Neal bagged a hat-trick of tries, while there were two for Jay Heath, and one each for Josh Burridge, Rob Rekis, Todd Prisk, Jack Wilkinson and Angus Hodges. Captain Ben Penfold kicked eight conversions, while Alex Seers took over kicking duties to successfully convert the last two tries and complete the scoring.
The Barbarians responded with a solitary first half try and three more early in the second period to ensure they played their part in an entertaining fixture.
England Counties U20s line-up v Hungarian Barbarians:
1 Tommy Phillips (Cornwall)
2 Will Scholey (Yorkshire)
3 Rory Mason (Yorkshire)
4 Todd Prisk (Cornwall)
5 Tom Edwards (Dorset & Wiltshire)
6 Freddie Mills (Berkshire)
7 Jack Thomas (Sussex)
8 Josh Burridge (Yorkshire)
9 Tom Trotter (Kent)
10 Alex Seers (Surrey)
11 James Neal (Warwickshire)
12 Ben Penfold (Eastern Counties, captain)
13 Cameron Hudson (Yorkshire)
14 Rob Rekis (Yorkshire)
15 Jay Heath (Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire)
Replacements:
16 Ali Wade (Surrey)
17 Jack Wilkinson (Lancashire)
18 Nick Cairns (Northumberland)
19 Angus Hodges (Gloucestershire)
20 Mikey McDonald (Surrey)
21 Ellis Rudder (Hampshire)
22 Louis Haddow (Middlesex)