France Juniors opened their three-match tour of England with a 36-18 success
over an Emerging England XIII at Robin Park Arena, and showed why they can proudly
claim to be “European Champions”.

After a lively opening, the French raced into an early lead with a try from
centre Christophe Calegary, before the home side hit back with London Broncos’
Alex Rowe crossing the whitewash. The same scoring pattern continued with first
Jonathan Ranaivo and then Craig Calvert touching down, before the French further
extended their lead through winger Sylvain Teixido. Impressive UTC stand off
Gregory Mounis converted all three and also added a penalty, making the half
time score 20-10 in favour of the well organised tourists.

The second half was a scrappy affair with Emerging England conceding far too
many penalties. On several occasions the hosts were pulled up for infringements
and this enabled the excellent goal kicking of Mounis to increase the French
advantage.

After 53 minutes second rower Cyril Stacul further increased the lead, only
for the impressive England substitute Rob Worrincy to side step his way over.
However, England’s joy was short lived as moments later France scored
their final try of the night, with Teixido adding his second score of the evening.

England did have the satisfaction of the scoring the final four-pointer of
the night when Ben Plummer scored to give them some hope, however their kicking
was to prove the decisive factor, as they managed to convert just one try, whilst
the superb Mounis had five conversions and three penalties to his name by the
end of the game.

Emerging England XIII Manager Joe Elliott said, “I am very disappointed
with the way the lads performed. We gave away far too many penalties and our
game plan went to pieces. I will be looking for a vast improvement on Sunday
and will make sure the players in the squad who did not play tonight, will definitely
get some game time.”

France Juniors will play their next game of the tour on Sunday against the
BARLA Great Britain Young Lions. The Young Lions will be looking for revenge
after losing 19-10 at Leigh last year and also going down 29-10 on last year’s
tour of France.

Scorers

Emerging England XIII

Tries: Rowe (12), Calvert (22), Worrincy (55), Plummer (60)

Goals: Rowson 1

MoM: Rob Worrincy (London Broncos)

France Juniors

Tries: Calegary (3), Ranaivo (18), Teixido (35,57), Stacul
(53),

Goals: Mounis (8), 5 goals, 3 pens

MoM: Gregory Mounis (UTC)

Emerging England XIII

1.Richard Squires - Shaw Cross

2.Craig Calvert - Wath Brow Hornets

3.Scott Lofthouse - Kells

4.Michael Martinez - West Hull

5.David Ashton - Wigan St.Pats

6.Derry Eilbeck - Wath Brow Hornets Capt.

7.Tony Gregg - Wath Brow Hornets

8.Alex Rowe - London Broncos

9.Jacky Hogan - Stanley Rangers

10.Andy McGlasson - Wath Brow Hornets

11.Ben Plummer - Kippax

12.Mark Applegarth - Stanley Rangers

13.Liam Rowson - Leigh East

14.Rob Worrincy - London Broncos

15.Matthew Peet - Wigan St.Pats

16.Craig Cawthray - Stanley Rangers

17.Trevor Penrose - Ideal Isberg

Joe Elliott (Manager)

Tommy Taylor (Assistant Manager)

Ian Rudd (Coach)

Carl Briscoe (Assistant Coach)

Tommy Graffin (Physio)

France Juniors

1. Laurent Bosch (Pia)

2. Younes Khattabi (Entraigues)

3. Vincent Almuzara (Toulouse)

4. Christophe Calegary (Saint Gaudens)

5. Sylvain Teixido (Limoux XIII)

6. Gregory Mounis (UTC)

7. Julien Meynard (UTC)

8. Gael Sans (Toulouse Rugby XIII)

9. Andrew Bentley (Villeneuve)

10. Jacques Pacull (UTC)

11. Jonathan Ranaivo (Carpentras)

12. Cyril Stacul (Villeneuve)

13. Eric Sans (Lezignan) Capt.

14. Remi Fontana (Lezignan)

15. Sebastien Martins (UTC)

16. Joris Cagnac (Lezignan)

17. Julien Touxagas (UTC)

Bruno Cazala (Manager)

Patrick Wozniack (Coach)

Didier Ouali (Coach)

Eric Guiu (Doctor)

Axel Robert

Fixtures

BARLA Great Britain Young Lions v France Juniors

Sunday 2nd March 2003

Lionheart Stadium, Featherstone Rovers RLFC

Kick Off: 2:00pm

Leeds Rhinos Academy v France Juniors

Tuesday 4th Mmarch 2003

Headingley Stadium, Leeds

Kick Off: 7:30pm

BARLA Great Britain Young Lions Squad to face France Juniors

David Agnew - Kells

Mark Applegarth - Stanley Rangers

David Ashton - Wigan St.Pats

Chris Baines - Wigan St.Pats

Craig Calvert - Wath Brow Hornets

Craig Cawthray - Stanley Rangers

Derry Eilbeck - Wath Brow Hornets

Tony Gregg - Wath Brow Hornets

Jacky Hogan - Stanley Rangers

Antony Houghton - Wigan St.Pats

Scott Lofthouse - Kells

Michael Martinez - West Hull

Graeme Mattinson - Wath Brow Hornets

Andy McGlasson - Wath Brow Hornets

Trevor Penrose - Ideal Isberg

Matthew Peet - Wigan St.Pats

John Pickersgill – Crosfields (CAPT.)

Ben Plummer - Kippax

Alex Rowe - London Broncos

Liam Rowson - Leigh East

Richard Squires - Shaw Cross

Steve Sutcliffe - Wigan St.Pats

James Taylor - Leigh East

Craig Thompson - Wigan St.Pats

John Thornhill - Wigan St Pats

Rob Worrincy - London Broncos

Joe Elliott (Manager)

Tommy Taylor (Assistant Manager)

Ian Rudd (Coach)

Carl Briscoe (Assistant Coach)

Tommy Graffin (Physio)