Only our best will do, says Carnduff
The Rugby Paper|July 14, 2024
FINN Carnduff leads England U20s out to face old rivals Ireland today knowing they must produce their best 80 minutes of the tournament so far to book a place in Friday's World Championship final.
JAMES ORPIN
Only our best will do, says Carnduff

England's pack was supreme in their 17-12 victory over South Africa on Tuesday, secured by James Isaacs' 86th minute try, to ensure they topped Pool C to finish as second seeds for the last four final pool Ireland's match against Australia was cancelled due to torrential rain in Cape Town leaving them as third seeds. Top seeds New Zealand face France in the other semi-final in a repeat of their pool match which the Junior All Blacks edged 27-26 with a last-minute conversion from Rico Simpson.

England, the U20 Six Nations champions, dethroned Ireland in March courtesy of an extra bonus point after they had played out an enthralling 32-all draw, and Carnduff expects another bruising encounter.

"Previously we have not stuck to what we have wanted to do for a full game and if we do that on Sunday we can put ourselves on the right side of the result," the Leicester blindside said. "But they are a great team, we respect them, and they will punish us if we give them the opportunity. That's the area we need to improve on the most." Ireland's only games in the tournament have been against Italy and Georgia, while England saw off Argentina who had beaten and Fiji South Africa prior to the victory over the Baby Boks.

This story is from the July 14, 2024 edition of The Rugby Paper.

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This story is from the July 14, 2024 edition of The Rugby Paper.

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