NANTES. France, June 5: Veteran Ian Wright and youngster Paul Scholes scored in England's 2-0 vic-

tory over Italy in their opening Tournide France match at the Beaujoire Stadium here on Wednesday, reports AFP.

It was England s first win over the World Cup runners-up since November 1977 when they also won 2-0 but on home soil at Wembley.

Arsenal’s Wright and Manchester United's Scholes, normally a striker but playing in midfield for his first ever full start for England, fired home in the 26th 43rd minutes.

The 33-year-old Wright, winning his 25th cap. received a long pass from 22 year old Scholes. outpaced Ciro Ferrara and without breaking stride, fired home left footed past keeper Angelo Peruzzi for his seventh England goal

Then came the effort by Scholes who was winning his second cap Stuart Pearce fed a long, swerving pass to Wright on the left Wright managed to centre despite the attentions ol Fabio Cannavaro and Scholes beat keeper Peruzzi with a su perh left foot volley from 12 yards

Scholes was pleased about his effort but even happier about the manner of the vic-

"Scoring a goal so early in my England career is fantastic but I was more satisfied with the way that we beat the Italians. Passing the ball as we did gives us a great boost ahead of the match in Rome in October." Scholes said.

Wright, who has been receiving counselling to try and control his anger which has earned him many yellow cards and dismissals over the years, also scored the winner in England's 2-1 win over South Africa at Old Trafford on May 24 — fed by Scholes.

Glenn Hoddle fielded just four players from the 1 -0 World Cup defeat at Wembley in February though Italy were at full strength for this match and IAN RIGHT were out to show their superiority to gain a psychological advantage for the Group 2 return fixture in Rome on October 11.

England are on a high after beating Poland 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday and fully deserved their win.

After the win against Poland this is the

cake and I am proud of airthe youngsters who played so well tonight, ' England captain Paul Ince said.

Wright and Teddy Shering-ham played up front with Scholes along-side playmaker David Beckham and Ince.

Phil Neville lined up at right wingback, with Graeme le Saux at left wingback, leaving Stuart Pearce. Martin Keown and Gareth Southgate in central defence.

Reserve keeper Tim Flowers won his ninth cap — his first since against China a year ago — instead of usual number one David Seaman.

Italy had the same team which beat England 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley in February apart from skipper Paolo Maldini. who injured his right thigh against Vicenza in the Italian league 10 days ago. making way for Parma's Antonio Benarrivo.

Sweepoer Alessandro Costacurta of AC Milan was entrusted with the captain's armband.

Wright's goal in the 26th minute sparked off some fine flowing football by England.

England's sterling first-half display was only marred by two yellow cards, one for Beckham for a foul on Demertio Albertini. who is set to have an operation in Milan on Monday on a testicle he injured in training, and one for Scholes a minute after he had scored also for a foul on the unfortunate Albertini.

For the second half. left wing back Graeme le Saux came oft with Gary Neville coming on at rightwing back in place of brother Phil who switched to Le Saux's position.

Italy's Alessandro Nesta came on for Ferrara in defence and Vicenza's Siampiero Main! became the first Vicenza player to be capped by Italy since Paolo Rossi 18 ye'ars ago when he replaced Angelo di Livido of Juventus.

Italy could have pulled a goal back in the 69th minute with English Premiership foot-baller-of-the-year Gianfranco Zola lurking menacingly on the edge of the area.

Andy Cole, clearly over his dead leg problems, came on for Wright with 15 minutes to go and nearly had the ball in the net a minute later for his first ever England goal on his second appearance.

But the 25-year-old striker, who excelled in the last few matches for Manchester United who won their fourth Premiership title in five seasons, put the ball wide.

Then a loud cheer went up from the England supporters for midfield maestro Paul Gascoigne in the 77th minute. Gascoigne. whom Hoddle is closely monitoring with the World Cup a year away, had been excluded from the starting 11 with calf and thigh injuries.

Gascoigne, despite being booked for a crushing tackle from behind on Diego Fuser, showed some deft touches in his cameo role and looked on his way back to fitness.

England's win, which put them top of the group, also boosted their confidence for the remaining matches against France in Montepellier on Saturday and Brazil in Paris on Tuesday.