England U20’s
Junior World Cup Italy 2105 gpfoto
Sports Photography
#4 Will Witty England U20’s 2015 gpfoto 1
gpfoto 2
gpfoto 3
gpfoto 4
gpfoto 5
gpfoto 6
gpfoto 7
gpfoto 8
gpfoto 9
gpfoto 10
gpfoto 11
gpfoto 12
gpfoto 13
gpfoto 14
gpfoto 15
gpfoto 16
gpfoto 17
gpfoto 18
gpfoto 19
gpfoto 20
gpfoto 21
gpfoto 22
gpfoto 23
gpfoto 24
gpfoto 25
gpfoto 26
gpfoto 27
gpfoto 28
gpfoto 29
gpfoto 30
gpfoto 31
gpfoto 32
WITTY MAKES ENGLAND U20 SQUAD Tuesday 12 May 15
versity and has made huge strides since then.” “He has already earned himself an new two year deal with the Falcons and by going away and being involved with the U20s, he will be able to develop his ability to play heads up rugby and what is in front of him.” “Those sides also tend to play a very high tempo game which again, will only help Will and hopefully allow him to continue to impress.We’re thrilled @ WillWwitty has been called up to the @EnglandRugby U20s squad for @WorldRugby Championships in June Congratulations Will!
Young lock announced as part of squad for June’s U20 World Championship Second row Will Witty will form part of the England U20s squad that will defend the World Rugby Under 20 Championship title in next month’s competition in Northern Italy. The Malton born lock, who made his first team debut against Bucharest in the European Challenge Cup, before going on to make his first Aviva Premiership appearances in recent weeks against Gloucester and Sale Sharks. The lineout specialist has already amassed a number of representative honours including caps for England Students and England U19s and North U18 and will be hopeful of following in club mates Scott Wilson and Dom Barrow’s footsteps and helping his country to another championship victory. Falcons Academy Head Coach James Ponton said: “Will has worked very hard these season to progress and I’m very pleased for him that he has been included in the squad.” “He came into the academy late after impressing us playing for Newcastle Uni-
England U20 see off resilient Japan
02 June 2015, 09:45 PM Dominant first half brings reigning champions opening win. Resilient Japan prove tough to put away in second period England Under 20 59 Japan 7 England kicked off the defence of their World Rugby Under 20 Championship title this evening with 59-7 victory over tournament newcomers Japan at the Stadio San Michele in Calvisano, northern Italy. In a dominant and composed first half, England built a 45-0 lead with tries from George Perkins, Jack Walker, Tom Howe and two apiece for Aaron Morris and Stuart Townsend. However, Japan were not to be completely undone and following the break they kept England under pressure with a passionate and determined performance. Though Sam Skinner capped a length-of-the-field move minutes after the restart, the Brave Blossoms replied via a penalty try when England’s Max Clark knocked on deliberately, the centre earning himself a yellow card in the process. The second period was rather disjointed, with Japan enjoying parity in terms of possession and territory. Fittingly though, lock Will Witty capped an impressive debut at this level by shunting over from short range on the final play. England Head Coach Jon Callard said: “I am pleased with that performance, we came out of the blocks and started really well. We were clinical with the opportunities that presented themselves to us. “Second half we emptied the bench and Japan found momentum. To their credit, they were very good and stretched us on the edge with their attacking play. We are through the first game and will be all the better for the experience of dealing with the heat and conditions out here.” England opened the scoring within the first minute through Perkins, fly half Rory Jennings sending the wing in under the posts before converting. A second was added minutes later when hooker Jack Walker charged over in the corner, Jennings again on target to add the extra two. Scrum half Townsend then darted over from the back of England’s driving maul before full back Morris got in on the action to score England’s fourth try and secure the all-important bonus point. Jennings’ conversion put England 26-0 ahead within 15 minutes. A second soon followed for Morris as he raced onto a neat offload from Nick Tompkins. Just before the half-hour mark, Japan began building some
phases with periods of attack in England’s half but strong work at the breakdown by Paul Hill caused Japan to be penalised for not releasing. Townsend took the penalty quickly, sprinting down field to claim his second in an all-round authoritative performance. Howe, making his first England start, added one more just before half time, again created by Tompkins – this time a perfectly-weighted grubber. Replacement Skinner got the scoreboard ticking within minutes of the second half. It looked like Japan had responded when Tevita Tatafu drove over the line, much to the delight of the crowd however it was disallowed for obstruction. Buoyed by that immediate response efforts, Japan remained on the offensive and were eventually rewarded with a penalty try when Clark saw yellow for a deliberate knock on. Ryuji Noguchi converted to claim the full seven points with twenty minutes left to play. Momentum remained with Japan until the final ten minutes when England pushed for a final score and it was debutant Witty who went over. Wales are next up on Saturday (kick-off 7.30pm), and Callard’s charges will be look to put right their defeat to the same opponents in the Six Nations. England U20 15 Aaron Morris (Saracens) 14 George Perkins (Saracens) 13 Nick Tompkins (Saracens) 12 Max Clark (Bath Rugby) 11 Tom Howe (Wasps) 10 Rory Jennings (Bath Rugby) 9 Stuart Townsend (Exeter Chiefs) 1 Ellis Genge (Bristol Rugby) 2 Jack Walker (Yorkshire Carnegie) 3 Paul Hill (Yorkshire Carnegie) 4 Will Witty (Newcastle Falcons) 5 Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, Captain) 6 Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints) 7 Will Owen (Leicester Tigers) 8 James Chisholm (Harlequins) Replacements: 16 Jack Innard (Exeter Chiefs) on for Jack Walker 40 minutes 17 Sebastian Adeniran-Olule (Harlequins) on for Ellis Genge 40 minutes 18 Ciaran Parker (Sale Sharks) on for Paul Hills40 minutes 19 Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs) on for Charlie Ewels 40 minutes
20 Charlie Beckett (Leicester Tigers) on for Lewes Ludlam 55 minutes 21 James Mitchell (Sale Sharks) on for Stuart Townsend 40 minutes 22 Lloyd Evans (Gloucester) on for George Perkins 70 minutes 23 Piers O’Conor (Wasps) on for Aaron Morris 40 minutes England scorers Tries: George Perkins, Walker, Howe, Skinner, Witty, Morris (2), Townsend (2) Conversions: Jennings (7)
gpfoto 34
Witty hoping hard work creates chances Wednesday 22 July 15
North Yorkshireman sets out hopes for new season as he returns to Falcons training Falcons and England U20s second row Will Witty is back in training at Kingston Park, following his summer exploits and the U20’s World Championships and is ounting on hard work to create opportunities to allow him to continue his rapid rise through the ranks. Witty is one of a number of exciting talents vying for the four and five shirts this season, after making an impressive start to his Falcons career in 2014/15. “I was over the moon to make that rise, but this year it is about putting hard work in down here and hopefully getting some more game time and push for a spot. That’s all I can do, put the hard work in and hope it pays off.” “There is a lot of competition for those spaces and there’s no guarantee, so you have to keep working hard and hope it comes along.” The Man from Malton exploded onto the scene in his first year as a full time member of the clubs senior academy, by scoring a try only two minutes into his first team debut against Bucharest Wolves at Kingston Park in October 2014. Proving that to be no lucky shot, he was one of many
young Falcons to shine a week later away to Newport Gwent Dragons, with his poachers try from a mistake forced by harrying fullback Lee Byrne a key moment as the Falcons took a memorable 26-30 win over the Welsh side. While injury prevented him from joining the England U20s for the Six Nations in the spring, Witty impressed enough in his first Aviva Premiership appearances, off the bench away to Gloucester & Sale, to earn a spot in the World Championship squad for June’s tournament in Italy. “It was a great experience; to get picked to go in the first place I was really pleased with that, it was a massive thing.” “After not being able to play in the Six Nations to actually play and start in the semi final and final was great.” While England ultimately fell in the final to New Zealand, Witty was one of many to turn in eye catching performances across the tournament and enhance his burgeoning reputation.
WITTY IMPRESSES ON ENGLAND DEBUT
Wednesday 3 June 15 Newcastle Falcons Academy Lock Will Witty impressed with a try scoring performance in his England Under 20s debut. Will Witty topped off a stellar England Under 20s debut with a try in the dying minutes of his team’s game against Japan in Calvisano yesterday. Witty, 20, played a full eighty minutes in the game which saw England begin the quest to retain their World Rugby Under 20 Championship title with a 59-7 victory. England were dominant from the outset, creating a 45-0 lead by half time with seven tries, including a brace a piece for Aaron Morris and Stuart Townsend. An eight try for the reigning champions came shortly after the re-start but Japan continued to pressurise, and gained a penalty try for their efforts. Continuing the sturdy and impressive form he showed during 2014/15’s European Rugby Challenge Cup and
Aviva A League, as well as in his two Aviva Premiership appearances towards the end of the season, Falcons Academy player Witty gave a good account of himself throughout the match. The Malton-born Lock topped off his debut in the best possible way though, heading over the line from short range in the dying minutes of the game to touch down for England’s final try and set the score at 59-7. Speaking after the game England Under 20s Head Coach Jon Callard said: “I’m pleased with that performance, we came out of the blocks and started really well. We were clinical with the opportunities that presented themselves to us. “To Japan’s credit, they were very good and stretched us on the edge with their attacking play. We are through the first game and will be all the better for the experience of dealing with the heat and conditions out here.” England’s next game in the Under 20s World Championships will see them face Wales this coming Saturday (ko 7.30pm) with the game being shown live on BT Sport 1. England U20 15 Aaron Morris (Saracens) 14 George Perkins (Saracens) 13 Nick Tompkins (Saracens) 12 Max Clark (Bath Rugby) 11 Tom Howe (Wasps) 10 Rory Jennings (Bath Rugby) 9 Stuart Townsend (Exeter Chiefs) 1 Ellis Genge (Bristol Rugby) 2 Jack Walker (Yorkshire Carnegie) 3 Paul Hill (Yorkshire Carnegie) 4 Will Witty (Newcastle Falcons) 5 Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, Captain) 6 Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints) 7 Will Owen (Leicester Tigers) 8 James Chisholm (Harlequins) Replacements: 16 Jack Innard (Exeter Chiefs) 17 Sebastian Adeniran-Olule (Harlequins) 18 Ciaran Parker (Sale Sharks) 19 Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs) 20 Charlie Beckett (Leicester Tigers) 21 James Mitchell (Sale Sharks) 22 Lloyd Evans (Gloucester) 23 Piers O’Conor (Wasps) England scorers Tries: George Perkins, Walker, Howe, Skinner, Witty, Morris (2), Townsend (2) Conversions: Jennings (7)
gpfoto 35
WITTY STARTS U20 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DECIDER Friday 19 June 15 Falcons second row retains starting spot for final against New Zealand Will Witty will start for England on Saturday as they face New Zealand in the final of the U20s World Championship in Italy, with the match screened live at the Tap & Tackle. Head coach John Callard has named a side that remains unchanged from the one that defeated South Africa in the semi final as England target a third consecutive title. Witty has been in impressive form throughout the tournament, scoring a try in the first round win over Japan and earning a place in the team of the round as a result , before coming off the bench to make an impact in the win over Wales. Returning to his starting berth for the Semi Final, Witty was part of a pack who earned plenty of plaudits against their South African counterparts and will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of team mate Scott Wilson and raise the trophy come full time on Saturday. Speaking to RFU.com Callard said: “The squad performed heroically in the semi-final and they deserve another opportunity. That is, however, unfortunate for the others who have been pushing and training hard.” “We were all pleased with the semi-final but feel that we left a bit out there. We were a little exposed at the end so there have been lots of key learning’s from that game.” “New Zealand are a very exciting and challenging proposition for us. They have a powerful squad who play with width and pace. We need to be strong in the set piece and smart in our game management. I’m hoping that it will be a great advert for the game as
the boys look to show that they are the best in their generation.” The World Rugby U20 Championship final will be screened in the UK via BT Sport with kick off at 19:30 on Saturday evening, with the Falcons’ Tap & Tackle bar screening the game live for fans to gather and enjoy the game together. WITTY IMPRESSES FURTHER IN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL Monday 22 June 15
Solid 50 minutes for young Falcons second row Will Witty made another notable contribution in an England shirt during the 2015 U20 World Championship Final on Saturday, as the reigning title holders went down 21-16 to New Zealand. The 20 year old, who enjoyed an impressive season as a member of the Falcons senior academy, enjoyed a 50 minute outing in the tournament show piece, during which time he provided an assured presence in the England line out. He also made his presence felt in open play, particularly in the opening exchanges which England dominated, with his speed to the breakdown playing a key role in building the momentum that led to his side’s first try through centre Max Clarke. Despite this strong start, England found themselves 11-10 down at half-time, before going further behind
early in the second half when No. 8 Akira Ioane drove over the line. England responded with six crucial points from the boot of Rory Jennings as they continued to pressure and were unfortunate not to regain the lead when individual brilliance from Howard Packman set up Piers O’Conor for a sublime try. However, as the replacement full back was deemed offside by the TMO when Packman chipped to start the attack and though England made a determined effort until the whistle, they couldn’t quite break through the Baby Blacks’ defence for that final score. While the team as a whole were unable to take their ultimate goal of a third consecutive title, Witty will return with a further enhanced reputation after earning plaudits for his performances against Japan, Wales, South Africa and New Zealand. Having made his first Aviva Premiership appearances in the final matches of the 2014/15 season, the lock from North Yorkshire will be hopeful his experiences allow his burgeoning career to continue its upward trajectory.
England
Coach Jon Callard: James Chisholm, Charlie Ewels, Paul Hill, Aaron Morris, Howard Packman, Nick Tompkins, Jack Walker, Seb Adeniran-Olule, Charlie Beckett, Max Clark, Lloyd Evans, Ellis Genge, Owen Hills, Jack Innard, Rory Jennings, Stuart Townsend, Lewis Ludlam, James Mitchell, Piers O’Conor, Will Owen, Ciaran Parker, George Perkins, Sam Skinner, Kieran Treadwell, Will Witty, Oli Bryant, Tom Howe, Josh Bainbridge, Will Homer gpfoto
my photos, your story
gpfoto@ymail.com +353 (087) 2424123 © All rights reserved