Referee Dave Sharpe - the brother-in-law hope all goes well

38-18 to England.

Ryan Hampshire was given the man of the match (a superb 50 metre try and five goals, three from the touchline) but Connor Farrell was my pick. His work rate particularly defensively was outstanding and it was he who picked up a loose ball, beat two men and got out a superb pass to give Hampshire that bit of space that he needed.



Tierney and Burgess were also among the try scorers.

I didn't get a team sheet, but the Salford scrum half, and the 9 and 12 were the French players who caught the eye.

The 9 was probably Joan Guasch and the 12 was Yohan Didone according to the FFR website, although I think Didone usually plays as a centre and the two players named at centre are both usually back rowers so I'm not sure if that is 100% accurate.

Who are the standout players at this level?



I hear good things about the Wigan lads but what about players at other clubs.

James Saltonstall from Warrington played really well. Bateman from Bradford we already know about and Jordan Baldwinson (Leeds) looks a very good prospect.



The pitch tonight was very heavy and there had been a womans International game played before the academy International so it was not the best conditions for open running rugby.

Bateman looks like a very good player and I'd happily have him at Wigan.



Are out 6&7 at this age group as good as we are told?

Yes, they are both outstanding prospects as is Joe (Budgie) Burgess on the wing. Will they develop and progress and go all the way? Who knows, but the raw talent is certainly there.

Match report:



[urlhttp://www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/25386/england-academy-outgun-france[/url

The final makeup of the touring squad to Australia is named tuesday June 19.



With Ryan Hampshire being named man of the match you would assume he played his way into the squad and Connor Farrell too. how did Burgess, Sutton and Tierney go Rogues ?

All six players have made the touring squad to Australia, well done to them.