Craig Hill raced over in the first half and Lee Rees scored in the second period to lead Wales’s charge to a 14-5 victory over Russia in a hard fought final. Gareth Rees banged over two conversions to complete the scoring for Wales.

Russia rallied late on to score through Lev Sleptsov but it proved too little too late as Wales picked up their second title in two weeks.

En route to the final Wales swept aside the challenge of Tunisia 33-0 in the quarter-final before brushing aside the rapidly improving Portugal 24-7 in the semis.

After being knocked out of the main draw after finishing their pool in third place behind New Zealand and Samoa, Wales were looking to assert their authority in the Bowl competition.

In the quarter-final bowl against Tunisia there was only one side in it. Wales led 19-0 at the break thanks to tries by Justin Tiperic, Ashley Beck and Ifan Evans.

Wales suffered a setback when Chris Davies was sin binned in first minute of second half but tries by Alex Cuthbert and Gareth Davies ensured passage through to the semis.

Portugal put up a tougher fight in the semi-final and held Wales to a 5-0 lead after a Cuthbert try. But Wales stepped up a gear in the second spell and got the perfect start when Davies scampered over. Goncalo Foro hit back with Diogo Miranda adding the extras but Justin Tiperic put the issue beyond doubt with two smartly taken tries.

Wales coach Paul John was a delighted man after guiding his young side to their second success within seven days.

“Let’s be realistic, we’ve got eight brand new players in the squad. Eight players who have not played sevens tournament rugby before. But this bunch of youngsters have grown and grown tremendously on and off the field.

“They have pushed all the sides really close over the first two tournaments. We’ve played all the big teams over the past couple of weeks except for Kenya and England and to be fair, they have done themselves proud.

“We’ve got a lot more points than we did this time last year, so we’ve exceeded expectations from the first two tournaments so they can take confidence from what they have achieved.

“They have won both Bowls comfortably and two win two Bowls is difficult. They’ve shown they have the potential to get into the semi-finals of the main draw.”

Alex Gray

One of England’s brightest back row talents has been working alongside Richie McCaw to develop his game during a three-month spell in New Zealand.

Athletic number eight Alex Gray has returned to Newcastle Falcons after three months with Canterbury and heads for a warm weather training camp in Portugal tomorrow with Mark Mapletoft’s England Under 20 squad.

Gray made his debut in England’s Under 18 side as a 16-year-old before leading them through two unbeaten campaigns that culminated in a thumping 45-13 victory over South Africa in Kimberley in August.

Instead of returning to the North East and straight into full-time rugby with the Falcons, the Newcastle-born teenager opted for a spell in Christchurch, playing for Canterbury’s unbeaten Under 20 side – prompting comparisons with the way current England boss Martin Johnson did so with King Country before launching his own international career.

Gray also worked alongside New Zealand captain McCaw in the gym and on his breakdown skills with McCaw’s mentor Angus Gardiner, a flanker who played for Bath and Beziers after winning back-to-back Super 12 titles with the Crusaders.

Equally important for Gray was the chance to expand his horizons after leaving Barnard Castle School and living away from home for the first time, without sacrificing the chance to learn more about the game.

“Leaving school I knew I wanted to see a bit of the world but I couldn’t just disappear off the radar and do nothing,” said Gray.

“I talked to (England U18 coach) John Fletcher and Newcastle to let them know what I wanted to do and they’ve helped me to go. I wanted to grow as a person and know what it’s like to be out on your own.

“Canterbury’s probably the best rugby area there is. I’ve lived at home and never had to do too much like cooking for myself and looking after myself and I thought it would be a good challenge. I’ve had the time of my life, made some friends for life and seen some things I’d never see elsewhere.

“In Christchurch I was an hour from the mountains and half-an-hour from the coast and the beach. It’s a very different place and a different way of life to back home. Much less complicated.

“The big thing is that everyone lives and breathes their rugby and it was interesting to see just how seriously it’s taken. It’s pretty cut-throat. If the All Blacks lose a game it’s a disaster and everyone’s getting into them. Everyone’s an expert and wants to talk to you about it.

“I was welcomed wherever I went – more than I ever thought I would be to be honest. I’ve shared a flat with a few of the Canterbury boys and everyone’s been happy to help out.”

Newcastle boss Steve Bates is already on record as describing Gray as potentially the best forward ever produced by the club’s academy and ready to challenge for a first team place in the remainder of this season.

The teenager returned to England last month having topped up his fitness in Christchurch as well as adding to his technical skills on the pitch.

“There’s been a big focus on my conditioning as a young forward while I’ve been away and working hard on lots of detail – handling, scrum, lineout, breakdown, everything,” he said.

“Everything’s been catered for. For example, at the breakdown I’ve been with Angus Gardiner, who works with Richie McCaw.

“It’s such a crucial part of the game and they definitely spend a lot of time working at it. Every training session includes a lot of breakdown and contact work.”

The next step on the international ladder beckons, too. After the Portugal camp, Gray should be part of the Under 19 England Academies side taking on Australian Schools at Cinderford on December 19.

“Without doubt he’s a very talented player who’s achieved a great deal in his junior career so far,” said Mapletoft, whose Under 20 set-up has brought through likes of forwards of the calibre of Courtney Lawes, Alex Corbisiero, Andy Saull, Carl Fearns and Calum Clark in the past two seasons.

“It’s great for him to have been able to go from the South Africa trip to New Zealand to experience life and rugby in the southern hemisphere and that move was supported both at national level and by his club. All the feedback we’ve had from those working with him in New Zealand has been very positive.

“As a first year Under 20 he now has to force his way into the squad for the Six Nations, establish himself at this level and then see where we go from there.”

By that he means the IRB Junior World Championships in Argentina next summer, where England will want to take possession of some silverware after defeat at the hands of New Zealand in the last two finals.

“If I get there I could end up playing against some of the boys I’ve been on the same side with for Canterbury,” said Gray. “That’s a big goal.”

Mullan, named in the England Saxons EPS squad in July, was due to be out of contract at the end of the season, but has now put pen to paper early to commit his future to the Warriors until at least 2012.

The highly-rated 22-year-old’s prized signature underlines the ambition for success shared by both the player and club.

Bromsgrove School-educated Mullan, who had been attracting the attention of a host of top clubs, is among a rare breed of front row players who can figure at loose-head prop or hooker and his contribution and development has now been rewarded with a new contract by Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock.

A product of the Warriors Academy, Mullan first came to prominence in 2007/08 with 25 appearances for Warriors in all competitions, followed by 24 matches in 2008/09. His senior debut had previously come in December 2005 against Newport Gwent Dragons in the Powergen Cup.

Mullan’s Guinness Premiership debut arrived against London Irish in December 2007 and his two tries in 38 appearances in the top-flight competition were against London Wasps in April 2008 and Leicester Tigers the following September.

The talented prop has regularly led the Guinness Premiership statistics for tackles made and yards covered by a prop and his impressive pace for a front row forward was shown in devastating fashion last season when he produced a memorable try-saving tackle against James Hook in the EDF Energy Cup.

Mullan’s outstanding development, work rate and ball carrying skills, alongside his excellent scrummaging ability, have been acknowledged by awards in successive seasons at Sixways. He jointly collected the Young Player of the Year prize for 2007/08 and then took the Most Improved Player at the end of last season.

The high esteem in which Warriors hold Mullan was replicated by his second call to the England Saxons’ squad last July. He had been called-up for training in January, but missed the match against Portugal through a rearranged Guinness Premiership game, and was later denied a debut against Ireland A at Donnybrook when the match was cancelled because of frost.

Mullan has earned impressive reviews from a host of former England players and pundits again this season and was widely tipped to make his full England debut for Martin Johnson’s men in the autumn internationals until a hamstring injury ruled him out until Christmas.

“We are absolutely delighted to announce that Matt has signed a two-year contract extension to stay at the Warriors,” said Director of Rugby Ruddock.

“Matt has become an integral part of developing the ‘Worcester Way’ at the club and, not only has he become a first team fixture, he is a superb role model and leader.

“His unfortunate hamstring injury has probably delayed his international progress in the short term.

“However, I have no doubt at all that over the medium to long term Matt will go on to achieve a number of international caps and quite possibly could even become a Warriors and England captain of the future.”

Matt Mullan said: “I’m really pleased to have signed this contract and look forward to a very exciting and successful future at Warriors.

“The club shares my ambition for the future and I’m excited by the plans that have been outlined by Mike Ruddock and his backroom team to take the Warriors forward in the both domestic and European competitions.

“I feel I have grown alongside the club, as both a person and a professional player, and now I have agreed this deal I can continue my development under the guidance of the coaching team, including Tony Windo who has played a key role in my recent success.

“I plan to play a big part in making sure Warriors climb the Guinness Premiership table and get to a position where we I feel we deserve and belong to be, one that reflects both the quality and ambition in our squad.”

Paul Hull

Paul Hull has stepped down from his role as Assistant Coach to the England Saxons.

Hull took up the post of Assistant Coach, working alongside Head Coach Stuart Lancaster, in January 2009.

Together Lancaster and Hull guided the Saxons to a 66-0 victory against Portugal in the 2009 Six Nations before travelling to Denver for the Churchill Cup, beating Argentina Jaguars (28-20) and USA (56-17) on the way to the final where they lost out to Ireland A.

After arriving home from the USA, Hull returned to Bristol Rugby to resume his new position as Head Coach after the departure of Richard Hill in February 2009.

Explaining his departure from the Saxons, Hull said, “I gave a lot of thought to the decision to leave the Saxons set-up. I met with Stuart and we went over the schedules for both Bristol and the Saxons and it became apparent that my time would be spread too thinly.”

“When I took up the role in the Saxons I was Assistant Coach at Bristol and was able to combine the two roles without it affecting one another. However, now as Head Coach, the job is significantly more demanding and I want to give it my full attention. I’m dedicated to Bristol Rugby and our campaign to achieve promotion.”

“I also have a young family, and recently learnt that we have another addition on the way. Obviously your family always comes first and with my commitment to Bristol Rugby, both myself and Stuart decided that it would be logical for me to step down from the Saxons.”

“I would however like to thank Stuart and the coaching team at England Saxons for inviting me to the position at the beginning of the year. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Saxons coaches’ and players’ and my time with them has provided invaluable experience as I continue my development as a coach and I wish them all the best in their next campaign.”

Said Lancaster, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Paul for his contribution to the Saxons last season. The management and the players’ valued his contribution both on and off the field and wish him and Bristol well for the rest of the season.”