Two England changes for World U20 Championship final versus France

Six Nations champions England have unveiled a team to play France in Friday’s World Rugby U20 Championship in Cape Town that has two changes from last Sunday’s semi-final win over Ireland. Mark Mapletoft’s side demonstrated their ability to squeeze teams in that last four success, holding the Irish scoreless in the second half to win 31-20 after leading 22-20 at the interval.

The final has now pitted them against France, an opposition they beat 45-31 in Pau on March 15 to clinch the age-grade Six Nations title. Following on from the Cape Town Stadium success last weekend over the Irish, England have confirmed one change to their starting pack and another to their back line.

Nathan Michelow was an early departure in the semi-final and Kane James, who replaced him at No8, will now start with Arthur Green coming onto the bench to fill the spot that James had. 

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In the backs, the sole alteration comes at midfield where Ben Waghorn has been named at outside centre. Angus Hall, who started the last day, slips to the bench with Toby Cousins missing out as the 23rd man.

Mapletoft said: “The last few days have been a good reminder of the hard work we have all put in to ensuring the development of this group. We are extremely proud to get to the final, but we cannot lose focus of the challenge in front of us. Since beating Ireland we have talked about taking even greater ownership.

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“We have shown that in abundance in our last few games and it encapsulates what this squad is about. We expect nothing less come Friday. We will approach the game with the same fearlessness and resilience that has been so important to this point. We want to make our family, friends and all England supporters proud.”

France, meanwhile, have changed two of their starting XV for the final following their 55-31 hammering of New Zealand in the semi-final. Left winger Hoani Bosmorin is absent, with his place taken by Xan Mousques, a sub the last day.

In the pack, Lino Julien, who started at tighthead against the Baby Blacks, switches to loosehead for the benched Samuel Jean-Christophe, allowing Thomas Duchene to come back at No3.

ENGLAND (vs France, Friday): 1. Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 2. Craig Wright, 3. Afolabi Fasogbon, 4. Joe Bailey, 5. Junior K’poku, 6. Finn Carnduff (capt), 7. Henry Pollock, 8. Kane James; 9. Ollie Allan, 10. Benjamin Coen; 11. Alex Wills, 12. Sean Kerr, 13. Ben Waghorn, 14. Ben Redshaw; 15. Ioan Jones. Reps: 16. James Isaacs, 17. Cameron Miell, 18. James Halliwell, 19. Olamide Sodeke, 20. Arthur Green, 21. Lucas Friday, 22. Josh Bellamy, 23. Angus Hall.

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