England's Super Sunday

Sunday was a brilliant day of double success for England.

This morning dawned in Hanover with the England sevens team looking back in satisfaction at their group stage performance yesterday where they had demolished all that had been put in front of them. Five wins from five, 87 points scored (15 tries) and a single try conceded put them into the at the European Sevens semi-final against the host team, Germany.

Meanwhile in west London England U20s awoke knowing that, after Thursday's comprehensive win over Canada (Rugby Canada report now available) - which a recount seems to have raised to 47-0 - a similar performance today against the USA should seem into next week's final.

The sevens team were first on the field. While the U20s were having breakfast, England's Sevens team were having Germany for lunch. A 42-0 eight-try win saw them into the afternoon's final, where they would face Spain - who they had already beaten 24-0 in the group stage.

While they relaxed, the U20s took the field against the USA - and blew them away. With Lizell in the starting XV for the first time, it took only eight minutes for England to take the lead. Seven more tries followed, Lizell's being the last after 64 minutes. A consolation try for USA six minutes later changed little as the scoreboard read 40-7 (RFUW match report) and a guaranteed place in Saturday's final. With Wales beating Canada 16-11 (Rugby Canada report)the identity of their opponents is still in some doubt - USA need to beat Canada on Wednesday to make sure of their place, but failing that Wales could still make it with a good performance against England. Canada are out of the competition - their "preparation" now appearing an object lesson in how not to get ready for a major international tournament.

As the U20s left the field, the Sevens team were in action in their final - and a rather tougher game it was with the team coming back from 10-12 down in the second half to win 20-12 (RFUW sevens report) and retain their European crown.

So, one international trophy and one international final - not a bad day's work.