England flew out of South Africa last Saturday evening to Heathrow as the rightful champions, the consistency of their potent scrum and manipulative defence helping them to a deserved first title since 2016.
Wellington may have finished in top spot on the National Provincial Championship standings, but the Lions still have a point to prove this coming Friday.
England flew out of South Africa last Saturday evening to Heathrow as the rightful champions, the consistency of their potent scrum and manipulative defence helping them to a deserved first title since 2016.
Both teams were soundly beaten in the semi-finals, New Zealand swatted aside 55-31 by French flair while Ireland were depowered 31-20 by a physical England who especially bullied their scrum.
Head coach Jono Gibbes has made seven changes to the New Zealand U20 squad that defeated Argentina on Tuesday.
Blues U20 captain Tristyn Cook thought he'd missed out on higher honours before getting a surprise phone call on a Sunday.
New Zealand Under 20 are the most successful nation in the World Rugby Junior Championship winning the title six times since its inception in 2008.
The New Zealand squad features 31 of the country's finest young athletes, with selectors having identified plenty of promising talent at the recent U20 Super Rugby tournament played last month in Taupo.