'This isn't a fixture that comes around that often'

England skipper Aiden Ainsworth-Cave admits that they are relishing the prospect of facing the New Zealand haka when they face off in the 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championship third-place play-off final in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Saturday afternoon.

It will be the first time that England have played the Baby Blacks since they were beaten 64-17 at the same Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in the 2017 final, the last time the trophy ended up in New Zealand’s hands.

Northampton Saints lock Ainsworth-Cave, who made his debut for the Prem champions in their Cup win over Harlequins in November, gets to lead the team out with Connor Treacey ruled out.

Ainsworth-Cave, who scored two tries in the 40-38 match-day three win over Argentina, points out the Haka was the first thing the squad thought of when they found out that they would be playing New Zealand.

“It’s really exciting. There’s definitely a buzz around camp. When we did realise that we were going to be playing New Zealand, that was probably the first thing on everyone’s mind: we’re going to face the haka,” he said.

“I think the coaches spoke to us about it early in the week. This isn’t a fixture that comes around that often at a 20s level. I think the last game was around 2016 or 2017.

“So just for that excitement, where we do get to challenge ourselves against one of the best teams in the southern hemisphere, is a really exciting challenge, which we’re all looking forward to.

Ainsworth-Cave says that the England pack will be looking to impose themselves on the Baby Blacks as soon as possible to negate what has been one of their strengths throughout the competition.

“Obviously, New Zealand are, in the history of rugby, seen as really exciting, expansive team. I think they’ve shown that throughout this World Cup. A very good attacking game, really powerful forward pack, exciting backs.

“And then, from my point of view, their set piece has been a weapon, which they’ve gone to throughout this tournament. But then on the flip side, we’re looking at that as a strength of ours as well.

“And we see that as an area where we can go after and we can impose ourselves as one of the most dominant packs in the world.”