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What to watch in men's rugby: U20 Championship, Trophy finals

317 days ago

BATH, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Finn Carnduff of England takes on Baptiste Jauneau of France during the U20 Six Nations Rugby match between England and France at Recreation Ground on March 10, 2023 in Bath, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Silverware is up for grabs in Edinburgh and Cape Town this week as the World Rugby U20 Championship and Trophy reach their conclusion.

Following four enthralling rounds of action in South Africa, France remain in the hunt for a record-equalling fourth successive U20 Championship title having gained revenge against New Zealand in the semi-finals.

Les Bleuets will play England in Friday’s final at DHL Stadium, Mark Mapletoft’s side having overcome Ireland in the last four on the back of a perfect pool stage.

On Wednesday, meanwhile, Hive Stadium will host the final day of the U20 Trophy as hosts Scotland and USA vie for promotion.

You can watch all of the action from Scotland and South Africa live and for free with RugbyPass TV, except where a local broadcast deal is in place.

England, France target fourth title

France are only 80 minutes away from becoming the second nation, after New Zealand, to win four U20 Championship titles in a row.

Les Bleuets flirted with disaster earlier in the tournament, losing a nail-biting pool-stage encounter with New Zealand 27-26 on July 4th.

However, they avenged that defeat on Sunday, running in seven tries to beat the same opponents 55-31 and secure their date with destiny.

England will be confident they can end France’s run of success in the tournament, though, having enjoyed a seamless journey through South Africa’s Western Cape so far.

Following pool stage victories against Argentina, Fiji and hosts South Africa, England booked their place in the showpiece match with a 31-20 defeat of Ireland.

Another victory in Cape Town on Friday would secure England their fourth U20 Championship title, and first since 2016.

Before the big match kicks off, the placing finals will take place at Athlone Stadium and DHL Stadium.

In the first of those, the 11th-place play-off, Spain take on Fiji knowing the loser will be relegated to the U20 Trophy in 2025.

You can watch all the action live and for free with RugbyPass TV (except in Africa, New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea and Tonga), with a French-language commentary option for the final.

Friday, July 19th

11:00 BST (GMT+1) – Spain v Fiji, Athlone Stadium – WATCH LIVE HERE
13:00 BST – Wales v South Africa, DHL Stadium – WATCH LIVE HERE
13:30 BST – Italy v Georgia, Athlone Stadium – WATCH LIVE HERE
15:30 BST – Ireland v New Zealand, DHL Stadium – WATCH LIVE HERE
16:00 BST – Australia v Argentina, Athlone Stadium – WATCH LIVE HERE
18:00 BST – England v France, DHL Stadium – WATCH LIVE HERE

Scotland, USA chase U20 Trophy glory

The two form teams of the U20 Trophy will meet in Wednesday’s final at Hive Stadium with promotion to next year’s U20 Championship on the line.

Scotland have twice racked up more than a century of points in their three matches in Edinburgh, beating Samoa 123-15 and Hong Kong China 101-0 in the pool stage.

The home side’s progress to the final was secured with an equally impressive 46-10 victory against Japan last Friday, and they will be hoping for more of the same against USA.

The margins of victory may have been more modest, but the Americans have been every bit as impressive as their hosts en route to the showpiece match.

A barnstorming first half helped USA to a 44-33 win against the Netherlands on the opening day of the tournament, while 2023 runners-up Uruguay were then beaten 32-15.

USA ran in four tries to beat Kenya 30-17 last time out and confirm their place in the final, and they are now 80 minutes from securing a return to the U20 Championship for the first time since 2013.

Earlier on Wednesday, Hive Stadium will stage the placing finals as Hong Kong China play Kenya, Samoa take on the Netherlands and Japan meet Uruguay.

You can watch all of the action live and for free with RugbyPass TV, except where there is a local broadcast deal in place.

Wednesday, July 17th

11:45 BST (GMT+1) – Hong Kong China v Kenya – WATCH LIVE HERE
14:30 BST – Samoa v Netherlands – WATCH LIVE HERE
17:15 BST – Japan v Uruguay – WATCH LIVE HERE
19:45 BST – Scotland v USA – WATCH LIVE HERE

(All matches to be played at Hive Stadium)

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 17 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 17 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 17 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 17 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 17 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 17 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 17 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍