Bradford Grammar School No 8 Peter Wright has helped England's under-18s to European glory.

They ended France's domination of the European Championships by defeating them 16-9 in the final last Saturday in the Villeneuve d'Ascq Stadium in Lille.

It was the first time England had won the Association Europeen de Rugby trophy in its six-year existence, and made up for last year's 32-0 drubbing by the top seeds in the final.

England head coach Graham Whitmore saluted his side, who had disposed of Romania and Italy on the way to the final.

He said: "I am absolutely delighted, especially after last year's result.

"The collective effort of the boys was magnificent and the team spirit pulled them through when they had to dig deep in the last two or three minutes when France were camped on our line."

Wright, along with Adam Preocanin (Dulwich College), staged a smash and grab raid on Italy's line-out to keep his side in possession in the semi-final, England winning 20-11 at RFC Arras.

And the Yorkshire and the North back-row forward was also in the England team that defeated Romania 21-3 in Romain Saint Quentin in their opening match.

It was all quite a contrast to the final warm-up match at Clifton RFC when England were beaten 39-17 by Wales Youth in a non-cap international.

Meanwhile, Bradford Bulls can claim a hand in Crossley Heath's 10-3 victory over St Joseph's College, Stoke in the Daily Mail Schools' Under-18 Vase final at Twickenham.

Centre Thomas Best, who is on the books at Odsal, converted the only try of the match by fly half Luke Gray in the 16th minute, and added a penalty eight minutes later.

Crossley Heath had to absorb long periods of pressure before securing victory, and coach Steve Donlan admitted: "The last couple of games (it was the same story in the semi-final win over St Olave's from Orpington) have been very hard work, but our defence was superb again in the final.

"We won the first half but we eased off in the second and St Joseph's won that period. We haven't lost a game since Christmas and to win the Vase rounds off an excellent second half of the season.

"It's been a wonderful experience and a day that everyone involved will remember.

"The boys will have some fantastic memories which they will treasure for the rest of their lives, and the Vase is a superb competition because it allows schools like ours the chance to enjoy a day at Twickenham."