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England U20s make two changes for semi-final with Ireland

312 days ago

Afolabi Fasogbon will be a semi-final starter for England U20s versus Ireland (Photo by Carl Fourie/World Rugby)

Mark Mapletoft has made two changes to his England starting XV for Sunday’s World Rugby U20 Championship semi-final versus Ireland in Cape Town. The reigning age-grade Six Nations champions completed their Pool C campaign with a gruelling 17-12 win over South Africa last Tuesday at Athlone.

That victory, secured by James Isaacs’ 86th minute try, clinched Mapletoft’s charges the top spot in their group, but tighthead Billy Sela and right winger Jack Bracken are now absent for the clash with the Irish, a team they drew 32-all with 18 weeks ago in the Six Nations.

Sela is replaced by Afolabi Fasogbon, who came off the bench against the Junior Boks, while the absence of Bracken has resulted in Ben Redshaw switching from No15 to No14 and Ioan Jones coming off the bench to start at full-back.

The promotions of Fasogbon and Jones have allowed Cameron Miell and Toby Cousins to come into the match day four replacements, while Josh Bellamy is also included with Angus Hall missing.

Whereas England had to dig deep to defeat South Africa and have just a five-day turnaround to the semi-final at the DHL Stadium, Ireland go into the match with a 10-day turnaround as their match day three fixture against Australia was cancelled due to the pitch in Athlone being deemed unplayable at the time their game was due to kick-off last Tuesday.

Fixture

World Rugby U20 Championship

England U20

31 - 20

Full-time

Ireland U20

All Stats and Data

Mapletoft said: “We are extremely proud of the performances and consequent results from our pool stage matches. The calibre of opposition was at such a high standard and to raise the performance levels on the last day in such trying conditions showed our unity as a team.

“Our bond as a group has only strengthened and we’ve often found a way through the challenges thrown at us. It fills myself and the staff with immense pride and we know that is required again come this Sunday.

“We have had fantastic Tests against Ireland over the last 12 months with nothing to separate the teams on the last two occasions. We know that will have to change this time around, but I have every confidence our boys will fight for the player next to them and reassert that brotherhood in the toughest moments.”

England U20s (vs Ireland, Sunday)
15. Ioan Jones (Gloucester Rugby, Minchinhampton RFC, 7 caps)
14. Ben Redshaw (Newcastle Falcons, West Park Leeds RFC, 7 caps)
13. Ben Waghorn (Harlequins, Chipstead Rugby Club, 9 caps)
12. Sean Kerr (Harlequins, Sutton and Epsom Rugby Club, 6 caps)
11. Alex Wills (Sale Sharks, Droitwich Rugby Club, 10 caps)
10. Ben Coen (Exeter Chiefs, Teignmouth RFC, 3 caps)
9. Ollie Allan (Leicester Tigers, Hungerford RFC, 3 caps)
1. Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks, Broadstreet RFC, 17 caps)
2. Craig Wright (Northampton Saints, Braintree Rugby Club, 8 caps)
3. Afolabi Fasogbon (Gloucester Rugby, Bishop Wand School, 14 caps)
4. Joe Bailey (Exeter Chiefs, Newton Abbot RFC, 7 caps)
5. Junior Kpoku (Racing 92, Saracens Amateurs, 7 caps)
6. Finn Carnduff (c) (Leicester Tigers, Market Harborough RFC, 18 caps)
7. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, Buckingham Rugby Club, 8 caps)
8. Nathan Michelow (Saracens, Brentwood Rugby, 12 caps)

Replacements;
16. James Isaacs (Saracens, Hemel Hempstead Camelot RFC, 5 caps)
17. Cameron Miell (Leicester Tigers, Paul Roos, 2 caps)
18. James Halliwell (Bristol Bears, Thornbury RFC, 10 caps)
19. Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby Club, 7 caps)
20. Kane James (Exeter Chiefs, St Peters RFC, 7 caps)
21. Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Bromley RFC, 3 caps)
22. Josh Bellamy (Harlequins, Rosslyn Park, 6 caps)
23. Toby Cousins (Northampton Saints, Bugbrooke RFC, 7 caps)

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Comments

2 Comments

jim 312 days ago

I just can’t believe the size of these young lads, across all countries but particularly England and SA. Monsters and not even 20. Usually people wouldnt get to that until 21 or 22 now they’re like that at 18 and 19! Think the Irish break of 10 days gives them a definite advantage once they don’t become complacent

Blanco 312 days ago

All things being equal the 10 day turnaround compared to England's 5 days would give Ireland a significant advantage.

This English team are excellent and may be able to overcome that disadvantage. If its dry, Ireland must move England around and if they are clinical that should be enough.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 7 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 8 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 8 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 8 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 8 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 8 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 8 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 8 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 8 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 8 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 8 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 8 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 8 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 8 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 8 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 8 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 8 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 8 days ago

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

👍