Rather ominously for their rivals this year’s England U20 group is believed to be better than the one that won the World Rugby U20 Championship in Manchester in 2016.

And, in captain and talisman Zach Mercer, they certainly have one of the form players in the world irrespective of age.

Number eight Mercer’s bonus-point try against Scotland at Franklin’s Gardens, his third of the U20 Six Nations, sealed the title for unbeaten England as they continue their quest for a first Grand Slam in six years.

In a high-tempo game full of errors, England were first on the scoreboard when Jack Nay crossed in the 21st minute to finally break Scottish resistance.

In Harry Randall and Alex Mitchell England possess two quality scrum-halves and Randall justified his inclusion ahead of his rival with the game’s second try on the stroke of half-time. With Max Malins converting both, England led 14-0.

Winger Dominic Morris added another converted try seven minutes after the restart, before the pacey Darcy Graham – one of Scotland’s starlets with a big future ahead of him – scored a try after 50 minutes to temporarily stop England in their tracks.

However, Mercer pounced on a Scotland mistake to bag the bonus point and then, a minute from time, replacement Theo Brophy-Clews added another for a 33-5 scoreline.

IRISH HOPES GO UP IN FLAMES AGAINST YOUNG DRAGONS

Any hopes that Ireland and England would play off for the Grand Slam in Dublin in the final round fell by wayside when the Irish slipped to a 41-27 defeat at the hands of defending champions Wales at Parc Eirias in Colwyn Bay.

Wales outscored the visitors five tries to three, with centre Kieran Williams enhancing his reputation further with a brace of tries in his second successive man-of-the-match performance.

Williams is now the tournament’s top try scorer with five, while fly-half Ben Jones is out in front in the points-scoring stakes with 67 points after adding 14 more to his tally through four conversions and two penalties.

Corrie Tarrant, Dane Blacker and replacement Chris Coleman scored Wales’ other tries, while Calvin Nash, Joey Conway and Paul Doyle touched down for Ireland.

ITALY DENIED ELUSIVE WIN

Italy came close to ending a 15-game losing run in the Six Nations only to fall just short at home to France at the Stadio Santa Rosa in Cagliari.

Front row pairing Florian Dufour and Ugo Boniface both scored tries in the first half to put Les Bleuets 12-3 up at half-time.

Antonio Rizzi crossed for the home side to give the Azzurrini hope, but two penalties from the boot of fly-half Romain Ntamack secured victory for France, with Massimo Cioffi’s second penalty late on scant consolation for the home side who had fought so valiantly throughout.