England Universities claimed the 2026 Student Rugby League Four Nations title, by virtue of a narrow 24-14 victory at The Gnoll in Neath.
Billed by watching student rugby league officials as possibly the best game on these shores since New Zealand toured in 2018, and Wales’s best performance at this level for over a decade, tries either side of half time by England vice captain Harry Lowerey and back rower Henry Leventhall proved to be the difference.
England were pushed throughout by Clive Griffths’ side in his last match in charge of the group, as their head coach Mark Sloan noted. “We knew Wales would be improved and would cause us problems early on,” he said. “Our plan was to be patient and that paid off in the first half.
“They pushed us all the way in the second half but I think defensively we had the upper hand, especially defending so well for the final ten with a man down. The boys fully deserved the win and the Championship based on that level of effort they have shown throughout.”
Wales got back to within ten points with a similar amount of time remaining thanks to Mason Phillips’ try to set up a tense finish in front of a vocal crowd and threatened in the next set when fullback Lewis Ingram broke clear in in centre field.
England prop James Leach chased him down but held on too long and was sinbinned for a professional foul, but his team mates rallied and held on.
Wales opened the scoring after two minutes when Llewellyn Hawkes landed a penalty after England were caught offside. Ten minutes later, Hawkes went through the middle of the England defence to score between the posts, converting to give the hosts an 8-0 lead.
England skipper Leon Stewart brought his side back into contention, winger Deusjes Nzage following him over five minutes later to level, both tries being unconverted. Lowerey burst through just before half time to put England ahead and Lenthall, who had been relentless defensively and a handful in attack, broke through from 30 metres out, shrugging off defenders at the start of the second period to further extend the lead.
Soon after, Ben Grindley-Roberts dived into the left corner, having exchanged passes with Jake Dickinson but that was the final England score with 20 minutes still remaining.
Centre Mason Phillips led the Welsh charge, with Hawkes and Ingram also threatening, but England’s defence stood firm, Fin Hay and Max Nissinen-Le to the fore. After Phillips crossed, Wales moved the ball left and right to look for the overlap but, with the title on the line, England worked overtime to keep them out.
WALES STUDENTS 14
Lewis Ingram, Leo Jones, Mason Phillips, Kian Lloyd, Dylan Morgan, Llewellyn Hawkes, Thomas Moore, Jacob Purcell, George Groves, Alex Green, Finlay Northrop, Scott Simons, Kavan Phillips
Interchanges: Iestyn Scott, Luke Davies, Alex Naylor, Olly Darlington, Jarrad Hughes, Alex Thorpe, Rhys Nicholls
Tries: Hawkes (13), M. Phillips (67)
Goals: Hawkes 2/2, Phillips 1/1
ENGLAND UNIVERSITIES 24
Jake Dickinson, Ben Bell-Thorn, Brogan Turner, Leon Stewart, Deusjes Nzage, Ben Grindley-Roberts, Jamie O’Keeffe, Fin Hay, Noah Tyson, Max Nissinen-Le, Henry Lenthall, Josh Shackleton, Hayden Todd
Interchanges: Will Lintin, Harry Lowery, James Leach, Ollie Paterson, Alex Edun, George Moffitt, Tega Rume-Tabiowo
Tries: Stewart (22), Nzage (27), Lowery (38), Lenthall (42), Grindley-Roberts (45)
Goals: Dickinson 2/5
Sin Bin: James Leach (70 - professional foul)
Half-time: 8-14
Full-time: 24-14
Referee: James Jones (Wales)
Photo Credit: Captured By Kate
