England stumbled their way to an unconvincing second successive victory in the RBS U20 Six Nations over Italy.

An early try from Gloucester wing Jonny May was the high spot of the contest with Kingsholm teammate Freddie Burns adding the conversion and a second half penalty in San Dona di Piave.

Tommaso Iannone replied with a penalty on the stroke of half time and missed with three more shots at goal that might have embarrassed the visitors. Their try from Filippo Ferrarini, converted by Alberto Chillon, was the final move of the match.

England had earlier defended well when reduced to 14 men after Saracens centre Tom Casson was yellow carded for flopping over the ball at a ruck.

But one try was a poor return for a side that enjoyed so much territory and possession, as well as creating half-a-dozen decent scoring chances.

Harlequins’ Charlie Matthews’ formed a new second row pairing with Gloucester’s Danny Wright, while Joe Marler - two-try hero against Wales - started. A third Quins player, Sam Stuart, came on as a late replacement.

England U20: Tom Catterick (Newcastle Falcons; Jake Sharp, Saracens 41); Will Hurrell (Leicester Tigers), Jonathan Joseph (London Irish), Tom Casson (Saracens), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby; Sam Edgerley, London Irish 67); Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby), Sam Harrison (Leicester Tigers; Sam Stuart, Harlequins 77); Joe Marler (Harlequins; Shaun Knight (Gloucester Rugby 65), Jamie George (Saracens; Arthur Ellis, London Wasps 78), Shaun Knight (Gloucester Rugby; Lee Imiolek, Sale Sharks 50), Danny Wright (Gloucester Rugby; Peter Elder, London Wasps 77), Charlie Matthews (Harlequins), Will Welch (Newcastle Falcons; Elder 48-55, George Kruis, Saracens 77), Jacob Rowan (Leeds Carnegie, captain), Jackson Wray (Saracens) Scorers: Try: May. Con: Burns. Pens: Burns 3.

Referee: D Paterson (SRU)