Dave Attwood makes second Saxons appearance in 31-5 win over Italy A (From Gazette Series)

Dave Attwood makes second Saxons appearance in 31-5 win over Italy A

11:46am Monday 8th February 2010

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DAVE ATTWOOD came on as a second half substitute to help England Saxons overcome Italy A 31-5 in Treviso.

The former Winterbourne International Academy pupil dropped down to the bench as one of nine changes from the 17-13 victory over Ireland A on his full debut a week earlier.

England worked their way back from a 5-0 half-time deficit scoring three tries through Miles Benjamin, Alex Goode and David Strettle plus a penalty try.

Italy's only points came from scrum half Pablo Canavosio who side stepped England's defence to go over in the 22nd minute.

An early second half Shane Geraghty penalty got England on the scoreboard and seemed to give them a much needed boost.

And in the 58th minute they added to their three points after Strettle raced up the wing offloading inside to Northampton's Phil Dowson to send Benjamin over, Geraghty added the conversion to ease the pressure.

Gloucester lock Attwood came off the bench on the hour mark before England's hard working forwards were rewarded by referee Andrew Macpherson with a penalty try and replacement Goode slotted the conversion to extend the lead to 17-5.

Cracks started to appear in Italy's defence in the last quarter and the Saxons dominated, Goode scoring and converting his own try in the 76th minute and then converting Strettle's effort, who showed his blistering pace charging through midfield.

Coach Stuart Lancaster said: "It was a tough first half. Italy did very well they scored a good try and we needed to break them down. We changed in the second half to a more high tempo game.

"Simon (Hardy) and Andy (Farrell) have been first class in what they've delivered and they are really quality additions to the coaching team.

"We've worked hard with this group of players I'm pleased with they way they came back in the second half. It shows the quality we have and strength in depth of players that didn't have an opportunity last week but came through this week. And the result is through their hard work."

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