France win European U18s
In the Polish city of Jarocin, France were crowned 7’s Girls U18 European Champions.
Published by Jacek Wallusch, September 4th, 2019
4 minute read
By far the strongest team of the tournament, France impressed on both sides of the ball. Les Bleus scored a total of 255 points (41 tries), but more astonishing was the fact that France conceded only 3 tries. Runners-up England also impressed in the attack, recording 34 tries. In the later phase of the tournament England’s tackle completion rate fall below 80%. Tackling became critical in the second half of the Championship final, when England missed 9, completing 14 tackles.
Team Statistics: Championship Final
England
France
8
Possessions
9
2 min 40 sec
Time of Effective Ball Possession
3 min 39 sec
24
Carries
34
11
Gainline Successes
24
3
Defenders Beaten
8
45
Passes: Total
31
36
Passes: On Target
25
0
Passes: Intercepted
0
8
Offloads: Total
6
4
Offloads: On Target
6
1
Offloads: Intercepted
0
5
Attacking Rucks: Won
5
2
Attacking Rucks: Lost
1
0
Attacking Scrums: Won
0
1
Attacking Scrums: Lost
0
1
Line-Outs: Won
1
0
Line-Outs: Lost
0
4
Penalties Conceded
1
1
Handling Errors
1
18
Tackles: Made
13
9
Tackles: Missed
3
66.7%
Tackle Completion Rate
81.3%
* Including offloads
With 5 wins under their belt, Russia defeated Wales in the third-place match. In the crucial moments of a very close game, the bronze medal winners utilised power-running skills of Amina Saylaonova. Interestingly, Saylaonova missed the semi-final against England and watched the match from the stands.
Russia and the remaining Home Nations formed a group not strong enough to challenge France or England, but much stronger than the other contestants. Almost 45% of all encounters ended up with a point difference exceeding 5 tries. Not surprisingly, the gap between the six leading U18 countries and other European nations might be even wider than in Women’s 7’s. On a more optimistic note, some of the mid-table countries can successfully shorten the distance. In particular, the Czech Republic (supported by the loudest fans) became a local power in Central Europe, and a consistently built programme already started bearing its fruits.
Team Statistics: Third-Place Match
Russia
Wales
7
Possessions
7
2 min 43 sec
Time of Effective Ball Possession
2 min 31 sec
25
Carries
25
12
Gainline Successes
9
1
Defenders Beaten
2
28
Passes: Total*
29
23
Passes: On Target
22
0
Passes: Intercepted
0
5
Offloads: Total
5
4
Offloads: On Target
4
1
Offloads: Intercepted
0
7
Attacking Rucks: Won
5
0
Attacking Rucks: Lost
0
1
Attacking Scrums: Won
1
1
Attacking Scrums: Lost
1
1
Line-Outs: Won
0
0
Line-Outs: Lost
1
3
Penalties Conceded
6
3
Handling Errors
1
15
Tackles: Made
16
5
Tackles: Missed
4
75%
Tackle Completion Rate
80%
* Including offloads
Tournament Statistics
Team
Matches Won
Points
Tries
Scored
Conceded
Difference
Scored
Conceded
Difference
France
6
255
15
240
41
3
38
England
5
196
46
150
34
8
26
Russia
5
160
78
82
26
14
12
Wales
3
99
148
-49
17
24
-7
Ireland
4
155
68
87
25
12
13
Scotland
4
165
60
105
27
10
17
Czech Rep.
3
98
150
-52
16
24
-8
Spain
2
99
90
9
17
14
3
Belgium
4
97
87
10
16
15
1
Ukraine
2
51
121
-70
9
21
-12
Portugal
2
58
113
-55
10
18
-8
Sweden
1
22
132
-110
4
22
-18
Germany
3
100
91
9
18
15
3
Poland
2
81
120
-39
13
20
-7
Georgia
2
36
188
-152
6
32
-26
Latvia
0
37
202
-165
7
34
-27
Results
Pool A:France 45-0 Czechia; Portugal 7-15 Germany; Portugal 12-21 Czechia; Germany 21-22 Czechia; France 45-0 Germany; France 53-0 Portugal
Pool B:England 41-0 Ukraine; Wales 24-12 Belgium; England 43-0 Belgium; Scotland 53-0 Georgia; England 48-0 Wales; Belgium 10-5 Ukraine
Pool C:Ireland 52-0 Georgia; Scotland 48-5 Latvia; Ireland 34-5 Latvia; Russia 45-0 Sweden; Latvia 5-21 Georgia; Ireland 12-24 Scotland
Pool D:Spain 36-0 Sweden; Russia 45-5 Poland Wales 41-0 Ukraine; Spain 29-0 Poland; Russia 17-10 Spain; Sweden 0-19 Poland
9th-16thQuarter-finals:Germany 15-17 Sweden; Georgia 0-34 Ukraine; Poland 7-24 Portugal; Belgium 34-5 Latvia;
Quarter-finals:France 33-5 Spain; Scotland 19-22 Wales; Russia 24-19 Czechia; England 22-7 Ireland;
13th-16thSemi-finals:Germany 34-0 Georgia; Poland 50-7 Latvia
9th-12thSemi-finals:Sweden 0-7 Ukraine; Portugal 5-12 Belgium
5th-8thSemi-finals:Spain 0-14 Scotland; Czechia 10-29 Ireland
Semi-finals:France 50-0 Wales; Russia 10-32 England
15thplace:Georgia 15-10 Latvia
13thplace:Germany 15-0 Poland
11thplace:Sweden 5-10 Portugal
9thplace;Ukraine 5-29 Belgium
7thplace:Spain 19-26 Czechia
5thplace:Scotland 7-21 Ireland
3rdplace;Wales 12-19 Russia
Final:France 29-10 England;