YOUTH TEST MATCH

Three tries in less than ten minutes from uncompromising Parramatta flanker Jacob Gagan gave the Australian Schoolboys the advantage in Toulouse against the French Under-19s. His first, on 10 minutes, cut France’s lead to two after front row Nicolas Houblop had opened the scoring after 6 minutes.

The French did well to regather themselves after Gagan’s triple, and after left centre Noel Andreucetti’s converted try - the move of the match, labelled "a fine display of skill" by the Australian team manager - only trailed by two points. But two more converted Australian tries, the first after France lost possession in their own half, gave them a commanding 26-12 halftime lead.

France self-destructed in the second period, dropping the kick off and allowing Vaipuna Tia Kalifa to hit a great line onto Kack Wighton's pass to score under the posts. France upped the ante with a heavy tackle forcing Australia's excellent hooker, Sam Irwin, to be stretched from the field, then a huge tackle on Gagan had the crowd on their feet. Outside half Simon Grandjean's try increased the decibels but four minutes later Trent Jennings was the beneficiary following Lachlan Burr's break to make it 38-18. Two more tries against a tiring French defence handed the Schoolboys a well deserved victory in the last of their six matches on tour.

Pictured: Jacob Gagan registered a hat-trick inside the first 20 minutes.

FRANCE U19
Clement Soubeyras, Erwin Escoder, Lilian Albert, Noel Andreucetti, Alexandre Doutres, Simon Grandjean, Mourad Kriouchae, Nicolas Houblop, Jonathon Soum, Julian Bousquet, Remi Vignau, Theo Gonzalez-Trique, Eloi Pelissier. Subs: Kevin Borras, Thomas Bouby, Loic Maria, Alexis Alberola. 

AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLBOYS
Henare Wells, Jacob Gagan, Trent Jennings, Luke Pickerd, James Tedesco, Jack Wighton, Harry Siejka, Matthew Groat, Chad Redman, Chris Grevsmuhl, Lachlan Burr, Vaipuna Tia Kilifi, Paul Carter. Subs: Sam Irwin, Mikhael Chee Kam, Matthew Eisenhuth, David Klemmer