 Jamie Roberts' fine early try for Wales was not enough |
Grand Slam champions Wales stumbled in defence of their Under-21s Six Nations crown as England's forwards built a 26-18 victory platform at Sixways. Wales conjured a sparkling early try for Cardiff Blues full-back Jamie Roberts, and a 72nd-minute penalty try meant England could never relax.
But wing Mike Brown's second-half try rocked Wales, before Jordan Crane's injury-time score finished them off.
Gloucester fly-half Ryan Lamb kicked 11 points for England.
Wales were also hampered by their discipline, with captain Tom Smith sin-binned by French referee David Rosich for pulling down a maul, then lock Alun Wyn-Jones receiving a yellow card for a reckless tackle.
In the other first-round matches, Ireland Under-21s saw off Italy 34-9, while France travelled away to crush Scotland 37-0
There was better news for the Wales Under-19s, after they came away from England with a 13-10 victory.
MMIX
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