Full marks for Mensah and tourists

RUGBY UNION

Tries by Jim Naylor and Peter Mensah gave England A a 27-19 victory over a strong Australian XV at Ballymore yesterday. The Australians boasted 14 players with experience at Emerging Wallaby level or higher.

Peter Rossborough, the tourists' manager, said the side would be sending a fax to South Africa to inform the senior side, who face Australia in the World Cup on Sunday, of their win. Looking back over a successful visit to Australia, Rossborough said: "It was all very satisfying for us. Our goals when we came out here were to beat Queensland and the Australian XV and we've almost achieved both. The tour has achieved what we wanted it to and has given plenty of international exposure to our younger players - this win really brings that home."

England, who round off their tour with an international in Fiji next week, waited until the final minutes to secure the win after dominating possession for much of the game, with second-row John Fowler outstanding.

The lead changed hands eight times before Mensah sealed the win with a late try. Paul Grayson scored three penalties, a drop goal and a conversion while Paul Hull was successful with one penalty.