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U20 World Champs
2024
Scores
Tables
Rnd 1
Rnd 2
Rnd 3
SFs
Finals
ENG vs FRA
U20 World Champs
DHL Stadium, Cape Town
England U20
vs
France U20
21
FT
13
Action
Lineups
All
Facts Only
All
Full-Time: 21 - 13
That's all we have for this one. Stay with Tribe for plenty more Rugby action throughout the weekend as the July Internationals continue. This is Anthony Morgan signing off.
France toiled hard but had no answers to England's powerful scrum and their rush defence which forced plenty of errors in both halves. Mathis Ferte and Xan Mousques had their moments out wide while in the pack Corentin Mezou was a solid presence.
The foundation of England's win came from their powerful scrum which earned them countless penalties. Their lineout improved markedly in the second half as they enjoyed large periods of play inside French territory. Henry Pollock and Finn Carnduff were immense at the breakdown while Junior Kpoku wreaked plenty of havoc in the tight. Alex Wills and Ollie Allan were among a host of strong performers in the backline - where replacement halfback Lucas Friday put in some nice kicks in his stint on the field.
England executed a simple game plan to perfection as they produced a dominant second half to beat France 21-13 in the U20 World Championship Final at DHL Stadium. Leading 7-6 at halftime, England continued to show dominance in the scrums and it was that dominance that helped them extend to a four-point lead through a Sean Kerr penalty in the 48th minute. The crucial moment of the match came five minutes later when Arthur Green was the beneficiary of another powerful scrum as he scooped up the ball and dived over from close range. Two more penalties to Kerr pushed the lead beyond two converted tries which would prove a bridge too far for the three-time defending champions, who finished strongly with a long-range team try to Mathis Ferte.
80+1'
Ferte converts from in front.
80+1'
21-13 H. Reus
Conversion
80+1'
FRANCE FINISH WITH A FLOURISH! Reus puts in a pinpoint cross-field kick to the left where Mousques regathers and sprints down the touchline. He unloads inside to Castro-Ferreira who draws the last man to send Ferte over to score under the posts.
80+1'
21-11
Try
80'
Both front rows go down but Green surges off the back of the scrum. Pollock takes a carry before Sodeke is stopped 21m out. England wind the clock down with a few more direct carries before Desperes picks off an errant chip kick.