Outstanding number eight Zach Mercer led from the front as England made it two wins from two in the U20 Six Nations with an impressive 37-21 win over defending champions Wales at a sold-out Parc Eirias in Colwyn Bay.

The Bath forward created one and scored another in a brilliant all-round display as England recovered from going 13-0 down inside the first quarter to pick up maximum points and maintain their perfect start to the campaign.

Wales flew out of the blocks after fly-half Ben Jones kicked two penalties and converted his own try. But Jones’ opposite number Jacob Umaga responded with a penalty for England before a three-try salvo from Harry Randall, Max Wright and Will Butler sent the visitors into the break 24-13 up.

Umaga extended the lead with another three-pointer but yellow cards for Randall and Curtis Langdon put England under pressure and Wales took advantage with a try for Chris Coleman.

Wales were back to within six points at 27-21 with nine minutes to go after Jones kicked another penalty, and all the momentum appeared to be with Jason Strange’s side.

However, Mercer stepped up to the plate and delivered the telling blow when he collected a Welsh kick on halfway and set off on a rampaging run down the left.

His offload found Josh Bayliss who combined with Alex Mitchell to take England to within inches of the line. The tireless Mercer then got back to his feet and from the resulting ruck, he powered his way over to clinch England’s second bonus-point win of the season.

NERVELESS IRELAND EDGE ITALY

While England have scored nearly 100 points in their opening two matches, Ireland have had to tough it out to keep pace with the world champions at the top of the table.

Their second one-point win in as many weeks came in Prato, where Italy came within a whisker of beating Ireland for the first time at this level.

Even though they fell short, the Azzurrini will take great heart from their performance and will be hell-bent on going one better when the sides meet again at the end of May in Pool B at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia.

Ireland led 6-3 at half-time after Johnny McPhillips slotted two penalties to Antonio Rizzi’s one.

Starting the second half short-handed after number eight Giovanni Licata was penalised for not rolling away, Italy conceded the first try when Jordan Larmour pounced onto a loose ball. McPhillips converted from wide out to put the Irish 13-6 ahead.

Italy refused to lie down, however, and a second Rizzi penalty was followed by a try from Massimo Ceciliani from a rolling maul. Rizzo missed the conversion but took the hosts into a 14-13 lead with another three-pointer.

The topsy-turvy nature of the game continued when Ireland hit back with Larmour’s second and a try from Tommy O’Brien – either side of a fine score from inside centre Marco Zanon – to establish what seemed like an unassailable 27-19 lead with seven minutes remaining.

After Ireland second-row Fineen Wycherley had been sent to the sin-bin, Italy took advantage to score through Alberto Rollero and ensure a grandstand finish. But despite coming under relentless pressure Ireland’s defence held firm.

ART ATTACK ADDS COLOUR TO FRANCE WIN

In the remaining match of the weekend, France sevens star Arthur Retiere stepped off the bench to score twice in a 36-8 win over Scotland at the Stade des Alpes in Grenoble.

After Connor Eastgate’s penalty had given Scotland an early lead, France hit back to score the first try of the game through Mickaël Capelli. Romain Ntamack, son of Les Bleus and Toulouse legend Emile, added the extras and then slotted a long-range penalty as the home side went into the break 10-3 ahead.

France stung Scotland with a brilliant try not long after the restart, livewire scrum-half Baptiste Couilloud starting and finishing a move from inside his own 22.

Fraser Renwick’s converted try gave Scotland a glimmer of hope but a try from halfway by winger Faraj Fartass and Retiere’s brace ensured France pulled clear in the final quarter.