Mark Mapletoft watches England's 47-33 win.

England's Under 20 side proved they have firepower to mount a formidable challenge for the IRB Junior World Championship title this season.

They posted their biggest total in the three years of the Under 20 RBS 6 Nations championship in beating France 47-33 away from home in Saint Nazaire today [Sunday].

Their five tries came from No.8 Jamie Gibson (London Irish), who scored twice, centre Tom Casson (Harlequins) and wings Marcus Watson (London Irish) and Sam Smith (Harlequins).

London Irish full back Tom Homer added five conversions and four penalties and England's kickers at this level - Homer, Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby) and Rory Clegg (Harlequins) - have missed only one of their 29 shots at goal in the five championship games.

England finished second in the U20 RBS 6 Nations table behind Ireland on points difference and used 39 players in their Six Nations campaign because of injuries and the unavailability of players on Guinness Premiership duty.

"Beating France in the way we did was a fantastic win and a big building block for us," said Mapletoft.

"We've tried to devise the type of game which is applicable in all conditions and today we had 90 per cent of our players available and were able to build on what we did in the 27-6 win against Scotland.

"At times we played some fantastic stuff - particularly the two tries scored by Marcus Watson and Tom Casson straight after half time. To pull all these young guys together from different clubs and circumstances and to play in that style was a real achievement and great to see.

"Sure there are still things to work on. Our discipline is still poor. We've had one red and seven yellows in the Six Nations and we certainly can't afford to do that in the goldfish bowl of the Junior World Championship.

"But it was good to put a marker down. With our full complement of players we look very difficult to beat because we know we can rattle the scoreboard.

"In our two worst performances - against Ireland and Italy - we scored just 26 points with players missing. In the others, against Wales, Scotland and France, two of them away from home, we scored 41, 27 and 47.

"Against France we've stepped up. The forwards have done well, we've kicked well and attacked them through the centre - Tom Casson was outstanding there - and we made good decisions. We might not have been good enough to have won the Six Nations overall but we know where we stand."

England U20 fixtures/results: February 5: England 41 Wales 14 February 12: Italy 10 England 16 February 26: England 10 Ireland 25 March 12: Scotland 6 England 27 March 21: France 33 England 47