North Midlands number eight Adam Brankley impressed on his international debut to help England Counties Under-20s beat Russia Under-20s 19-14 in Mosciw last night.
Brankley, of Harper Adams University, featured prominently in a hard-working back row who frustrated a powerful Russia side in the first two internationals.
Brankley started the match and was joined by his county and university team-mate Jack Harrison, who won his first cap as a replacement.
England recovered from conceding an early try to go 12-7 up with tries from wing Alex Goble and centre Connor Wilkinson. Fly half Lewis Dennett converted the first try.
Russia regained lead just before half time with another converted try but England’s forward pressure told in the second half when they were awarded a penalty try for repeated offences at the scrum.
“It was a tough match and the Russians put us under plenty of pressure but the togetherness of this group was evident throughout,” said England team manager Peter Vernon.
“It was a good test match where the players demonstrated their qualities both tactically and technically. Most pleasing however was the way in which the substitutions added great momentum at crucial times.
“We’re already excited about the second Test match where we can tweak a few areas of our game and reinforce some of our attacking and defensive principles”
The second match is in Moscow on Wedenesday June 8.