England suffered a crushing defeat tonight in their opening game of the IRB Under-21 World Cup.

English hopes were dealt a serious setback as they crashed 52-22 against Australia at Iffley Road, Oxford.

Australia, last year's World Cup runners-up, were always in control of the game despite England scoring first-half tries through Bristol hooker Chris Rowland and Leicester prop Michael Holford.

England's next game is against Japan on Tuesday.

Six Nations champions Wales launched their IRB Under-21 World Cup campaign with a 37-19 victory over Scotland at Henley today.

Cardiff fly-half Nicky Robinson was star for Wales, compiling 22 points, including a late solo try which finished Scotland off after they trailed just 20-19 with an hour gone.

The early exchanges were scrappy, with two Robinson penalties being cancelled out by a double from Scotland's Alistair Warnock, before Wales fell behind when Newcastle lock Mark Rennie grabbed a try which Warnock converted.

Wales wiped out the deficit just before half-time through a converted Ricky Richards try, setting up an exciting second period.

Warnock restored Scotland's lead through his third successful penalty but Wales then forged ahead through a touchdown from impressive centre David Bishop which Robinson converted.

Warnock's fourth penalty promised a grandstand finish, but it was Wales who came up trumps when Robinson booted another penalty, then converted his own try on 78 minutes before adding the extra points to Bishop's second score.

Wales' second game is against Argentina next Tuesday, when Scotland are also next in action, tackling Ireland.

Reigning champions South Africa also opened with a win against Ireland and their were also wins for Argentina, France and the All Blacks against Japan.

POOL MATCHES SCHEDULE

13 JUNE 2003 - DAY 1
M Time Venue Teams
1 1500 Iffley Rd South Africa 36-27 Ireland
2 1700 Newbury Argentina 62-13 Canada
3 1500 Henley Scotland 19-37 Wales
4 1900 Iffley Rd Australia 22-52 England
5 1930 Newbury France 34-7 Italy
6 1900 Henley Japan 14-61 New Zealand

17 JUNE 2003 - DAY 2
M Time Venue Teams
7 1500 Henley South Africa v Canada
8 1500 Iffley Rd Argentina v Wales
9 1700 Newbury Scotland v Ireland
10 1900 Henley Australia v Italy
11 1900 Iffley Rd France v New Zealand
12 1930 Newbury Japan v England

21 JUNE 2003 - DAY 3
M Time Venue Teams
13 1800 Newbury South Africa v Wales
14 1800 Iffley Rd Argentina v Ireland
15 1800 Henley Scotland v Canada
16 1400 Newbury Australia v New Zealand
17 1400 Henley France v England
18 1400 Iffley Rd Japan v Italy