England defeated France to claim their first Under-20 world title since 2016 with ruthless dominance and a stunning power-packed performance. Tries from forwards Joe Bailey and Arthur Green sealed England’s victory in Cape Town, but England’s forward quality proved too much for the defending champions.
England were unstoppable at the scrum and won a penalty at will, less than a week after Borthwick complained about the senior team’s set-piece issues. Props Asher Opoku-Fordjour and Afolabi Fasogbon may soon find themselves developing at a rapid pace, such is their advantage in the absence of first-choice tight end Billy Sela. Other players earning reputations include second-row Junior Kpoku and flanker Henry Pollock, whose performances bode well for Borthwick’s preparations for the 2027 World Cup.
The key will be whether these youngsters get club game time – as France’s recent graduates have done successfully – but in the meantime, Mark Mapletoft can enjoy leading England to a fourth title A chance at the World Under-20 Championship. England were far from flawless in the final, but such forward strength always felt likely to prove decisive.
France may not be strong – some of their squad are touring Argentina with a young senior squad – but as was the case in the Six Nations, when England won in Pau and sealed this year’s title, The French team was defeated. “This team is very special, I really think of these guys as brothers for life and to win two trophies together, I really can’t believe it,” captain and Leicester wing Finn Carnduff ) said.
England’s vaunted scrumming strength was evident as early as the third minute, with Maplet Toft’s side flexing their muscles in the opening penalty, but nonetheless the Six Nations champions The start was full of mistakes. They failed to take chances when the ball hit the deck more often than they would have liked – France in particular looked dangerous on the counter-attack.
France opened the scoring with a close-range penalty from brilliant front-half and captain Hugo Reus, and they thought they had scored a stunning kick-off down the left through Mathis Felt. However, his opponent’s shot was blocked. But against Pollock’s forays through the middle, England relied on their set-piece strength. France, on the other hand, are determined to compete and their ability to break through gives them a chance.
England had two more scrums and two more penalties, but Sean Kerr’s shot hit the post in the second and he added another a few minutes later. France’s effort had taken its toll, indiscipline was spreading and the England forwards found it much easier to get past the attacking line and after a powerful collision Bailey fired home from close range. However, Reus’s second penalty on the stroke of half-time left France just one point behind going into the break.
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The second half started in similar fashion – England again won a scrum penalty but were awarded a shambolic penalty before France were dealt a blow, with the impressive No 8 Mathis Castor Mathis Castro-Ferreira’s high tackle on Pollock was sent to the sin box. Kerr soon extended England’s lead through a penalty, and when they got a scrum near the French line, substitute Green’s shot seemed inevitable. Cole missed the goal but converted two more penalties – the second of the scrum – to turn the tide. Felt’s stunning last-gasp try was only a reward for his individual performance, but only a consolation for France.
