England U20s side to play South Africa in World Rugby U20 Championship semi-final
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England U20s head coach Steve Bates has named his side to play South Africa in the semi-final of the World Rugby U20 Championship in Narbonne on Tuesday (KO 6pm BST, live on ITV 4).
Flanker Ben Curry (Sale Sharks) returns to the starting XV to captain the side and he is joined in the backrow by Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors) as well as No 8 Josh Basham (London Irish). Hooker Henry Walker (Gloucester Rugby) and prop Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers) also return to the side joining Alex Seville (Gloucester Rugby) in the front row. No. 10 Marcus Smith (Harlequins) will join Ben White (Leicester Tigers) at halfback with Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints) named at outside centre. England’s back three consists of winger Jordan Olowofela (Leicester Tigers) and Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins) as well as full back Tom Parton (London Irish). Bates’ side head into the semi-final of the tournament as top seeds after three bonus-point victories in their pool over Argentina, Italy and Scotland. Hosts France take on New Zealand in Wednesday’s other semi-final in Perpignan. England U20s have reached the final in five consecutive years, winning three (2013, 2014, 2016) and since 2008 they have reached eight out of the 10 finals. Steve Bates said: “We’re into the knockout stages of the competition now so we need to raise the tempo of our game and be more accurate as well as play at a more intense pace. “At this stage of the competition the stakes are high and we need to be able to play under that type of pressure while also being able to raise our game. “We’ve been able to rotate the squad quite nicely throughout the tournament, we’ve got two Premiership players coming back into the side who didn’t play in our final pool game so they will be fresh and will add a great deal to the team. “My message to the players on Tuesday will be a simple one, these opportunities don’t come around too often, we are in the semi-final of a wonderful competition, playing southern hemisphere opposition and I want them to show their class. The key thing is not to be overawed by the occasion, but to go out there and attack them.” England U20s Replacements England U20 fixtures and results: England 39-18 Argentina England 43-5 Italy England 35-10 Scotland England v South Africa, Narbonne, 6pm BST, live on ITV 4 Finals day – Beziers, 17 June |
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