Wales U20s got off lightly in their 37-12 defeat to England U20s in Newcastle, according to home coach Steve Bates.

Jason Strange’s youngsters were well beaten by five tries to two, but former Newcastle Falcons coach Bates insisted: “It was a pretty comprehensive win, but there is still more to come.

“I think we probably could have created more, we could have been more dominant.

“I’m very happy with the performance but we cannot be complacent with that. We have to strive to be better. We have to be a little more clinical, we made a few mistakes and missed a few opportunities to exploit space, but when you win with a score line like that it gives you confidence moving forward.”

Wales – who had got their tournament off to a winning start against Scotland – actually scored first through scrum-half Harri Morgan, but England then seized control and their powerful team led by 13 points at the break with tries from Ben White and debutant Cameron Redpath, son of former Scotland scrum-half Bryan.

Three more tries followed in the second half, courtesy of Gabriel Ibitoye, Jordan Olowofela and Aaron Hinkley on debut, to hand England their second bonus-point win in the competition with only Rio Dyer replaying for Wales.

England fly-half James Grayson, son of another ex-international, Paul, said: “The forwards did great, gave us front foot ball and corners for us to kick into and then we squeezed and kept that pressure on.”