France unchanged for World Rugby U20 Championship final against Ireland

France U20 coach Sébastien Calvet has named an unchanged starting XV for the World Rugby U20 Championship final against Ireland U20 this Friday to the one that came back to beat England U20 in the semi-final.

All 15 members of the side that overturned a 17-0 deficit at Athlone Stadium to win 52-31 on Sunday have been rewarded with a starting berth, with only one change being made on the bench.

The 6-2 split on the bench adopted in the semi-final to overcome England U20's pack has been replaced by a conventional bench, which sees centre Arthur Mathiron replace back-row Andy Timo.

Though England U20 gave Les Bleuets their sternest test so far this Championship, they were still no match in the end. England U20's 21 point deficit was, however, the closest any team has got to France U20 in the tournament, alongside New Zealand U20 who also lost by the same margin.

Calvet's team will face an Ireland U20 side that have gone from strength to strength since their draw with England U20 in the opening round, booking their spot in the final with a 31-12 win over hosts South Africa U20 in the semi-final.

France U20 XV

1 Louis Penverne

2 Pierre Jouvin

3 Zaccharie Affane

4 Hugo Auradou

5 Posolo Tuilagi

6 Lenni Nouchi

7 Oscar Jegou

8 Marko Gazzotti

9 Baptiste Jauneau

10 Hugo Reus

11 Theo Attissogbe

12 Paul Costes

13 Nicolas Depoortere

14 Leo Drouet

15 Mathis Ferte

Replacements

16 Thomas Lacombre

17 Lino Julien

18 Thomas Duchene

19 Brent Liufau

20 Mathis Castro

21 Leo Carbonneau

22 Arthur Mathiron

23 Clement Mondinat