AXEL DOUBLE KEEPS SWEDEN ON TRACK FOR TROPHY GLORY

AXEL Kalling-Smith scored two tries to power Sweden to a fourth Rugby Europe Trophy win in a row with a 57-18 victory in Luxembourg.

Mattias Nillson converted an early score from VaaI uta Fryxell to put the visitors in front, Fintan Lawlor landing a penalty for Luxembourg before they were reduced to 14 men following the sending off of Stuart Logier.

Robin Fransson crossed to push Sweden further in front, Nilsson with the extras, Yared Katema slotting a second three-pointer for the home side to cut the gap before Fransson doubled his tally.

Alfred Nordgren added a fourth Sweden try to make it 24-6 at the interval, only for the home side to reply via an Anthony Drennan try converted by Lawlor.

Axel gets side back on track

Sweden hit back as Kalling-Smith got his first, Nilsson with the extras before the scrum-half repeated the trick after dotting down himself.

Kalling-Smith’s second, again added to by Nilsson, made it 45-13 before Theodor Karlsson brought up the Swedes’ half-century.

A converted Mathis De Chaville score extended the visitors’ lead, and while Katema grabbed a late consolation, it was not enough for Luxembourg.

Sweden sit top of the pile and on course for their first Trophy success with 18 points to date, a potential title decider against also unbeaten Poland waiting on Saturday, April 12.