ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

English scrummaging masterclass secures final spot at World Rugby U20 Championship

BY Philip Bendon  ·  Sunday Jul 14, 2024

Mark Mapletoft’s England punched their ticket to the 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship courtesy of a dominant scrummaging performance.

ADVERTISEMENT

Dominating the second half to secure a 31 – 20 win, England had the bulk of possession and territory as they rarely looked threatened in the second forty.

Mimicking their senior team, Ireland hung around despite being utterly obliterated in the scrum to the point that any time the two sides packed down it was nearly guaranteed to be a penalty to England.

Spearheading this excellence at the set piece, England’s front row of Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Craig Wright and Afolabi Fasogbon went forward at a rate of knots.

Capitalising on the advantage of his pack, centre Sean Kerr slotted three penalties to go with his two conversions. It wasn’t just from the tee where Kerr was superb but also in general play as he topped the carries charts for his side.

Elsewhere the electric talent that is Henry Pollock fizzed into contact both in attack and defence as he completed 16 tackles.

For Ireland, captain Brian Gleeson showed his class to get away from a scrum that was back pedalling and put in some huge tackles with his shot on Sean Kerr being felt by all in the stadium.

ADVERTISEMENT

England will now wait to see who they will face in the final when New Zealand take on France in the second semi-final with Ireland facing the loser.

Related Articles

  • 24 WEEKS AGO

    Los Pumitas down Junior Boks to secure 5th place play-off berth

  • 24 WEEKS AGO

    Frawley drop goal seals Irish victory as Kolbe accused of 'diving'

  • 24 WEEKS AGO

    Wallabies star Filipo Daugunu commites daylight robbery for superb try



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Springbok star scores screamer on debut for Sagamihara Dynaboars

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Bears fly as 100 metre finish already touted as try of the season

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Hassell-Collins pounces on HUGE Sharks mistake in chaotic scenes

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

View All

Funnies

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    'A dog with a mallet up its arse could’ve written Johnny’s book' Donnacha O'Callaghan

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major makes big claim about rugby

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

View All

Amateur

  • 102 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 102 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 125 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 125 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 126 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    RugbyDump's top five backrows in 2024

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Marcus Smith makes big call on his future

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    The 19-year-old named the 'future' of English rugby after win against Australia A

View All