Leicester Tigers XV 17 – 36 England U21s

More than 6,000 fans turned out at Welford Road last night to cheer on the teams in the Matt Hampson Challenge Match and they were not disappointed as both teams put in thrilling displays in honour of their injured team mate.

Leicester captain Matt Cornwell said: “Last night was about Matt Hampson.Obviously no one likes to lose but we played some great rugby and put on a good game. I’d like to thank the 6,000 fans who came down and helped us raise as much money as possible for Hambo’s trust.”

England wasted no time showing their intentions, turning down two kickable penalties in the opening minutes, opting instead for an early try.

With their team enjoying almost all the early possession, Quins full-back Mike Brown and Bath’s Ryan Davis threatened with their early breaks but the first points of the evening went to the home team who seized on a turnover ball to break out of their half. With their first effort Scott Bemand looked certain to make the line but for a cracking cover tackle from Brown. Their second attempt was more successful and, fittingly, it was captainCornwell who supplied the ball to Ollie Dodge to feed Will Skinner who crossed in the left hand corner to take his team to a 5-0 lead.

Within minutes, however, Brown slotted a penalty and before the half-hour England added their first try when a break from Worcester’s fly-half Sam Robinson set up Sale flanker Michael Hills who touched down under the posts. Brown added the extra points to take England 10-5 up.

The impressive Brown was involved again in England’s second try, drawing two defenders before offloading to Saints wing Paul Diggin, who crossed in the left corner.

Tigers looked dangerous in attack, with wing Seru Rabeni threatening on many occasions, but the white defence held out, although on occasions it seemed there was only inches to spare.

Hills added England’s second try on the stroke of half time, picking up from the base of a ruck to dive over.  Having narrowly missed with his last effort from the touchline, Brown made no mistake this time, nailing the kick to send his team into the break with a comfortable 22 – 5 lead.

Within minutes the entertainment continued. England looked like scoring when a forwards effort started by back rowers James Haskell and Jordan Crane set up hooker Chris Brooker who just ran out of pace before the line. The Tigers' defence was tested again when a length of the field effort from the men in white was again stopped just metres short of the line.

In a repeat of the first half it was Tigers who turned defence into attack with replacement wing Vavae Tuilagi running in a converted try after a break from Tom Youngs, before Tigers full-back Ollie Dodge added a try of his own to close the deficit to five points.

Refreshed by several replacements, the England defence repelled the Leicester attack.

A Brown solo effort produced England’s next points. Having broken out of his own half the full-back’s chip and chase bounced perfectly to send him under the posts. Replacement wing Jamie Lennard took up the kicking duties, calmly slotting the kick and later adding the last points of the night by converting a try from Wasp James Haskell who capitalised on a break from Gloucester’s Will Matthews.