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Mon 4 Jun 2018 | 12:15
England U20's confirmed semi finalists while other pools are up for grabs

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England are the first team to qualify for the semi-finals after another fascinating day of junior grade rugby at the World Rugby U20 Championship in France on Sunday. South Africa and New Zealand are the only other teams that sit on maximum points.

Three places still remain for the semi-finals, after England won Pool B with a convincing 43-5 defeat of Italy in Perpignan, giving them a maximum 10 points from two rounds, and an unassailable lead, regardless of what happens in the next round of pool play on Thursday.

Defending champions New Zealand and South Africa are the only other teams with maximum points and sit top of Pool A and C respectively. New Zealand beat Wales 42-10 in wet conditions in Béziers, while South Africa had to dig deep once again to overcome Ireland 30-17 in Narbonne.

Hosts France are the only other unbeaten team after they battled past Georgia 24-12 in Béziers, but the failure to secure a bonus point leaves them one behind South Africa and sets up perfectly their pool decider.

Four other teams remain in contention, although Wales, Italy and Argentina can only hope to claim the best runner-up spot across the three pools with Los Pumitas keeping themselves in the mix with a 29-13 defeat of Scotland in the opening match in Perpignan.

Australia were another to record their first win, finishing strongly to beat Japan 54-19 in Narbonne to take their tally to six points and keep alive their hopes of a first semi-final since 2011. To do that, though, they will have to beat New Zealand and potentially also deny them a bonus point.

The pool stages reach an exciting conclusion on Thursday with the remaining semi-final places at stake.

In Béziers, Italy take on Argentina in Pool B before England tackle rivals Scotland, while in Narbonne, Ireland face Georgia before hosts France and South Africa battle it out for top spot.

Wales will face Japan in the first match in Perpignan before New Zealand and Australia meet in the Pool A decider.You can catch up on all the match highlights below.

Scotland U20 vs Argentina U20

France U20 vs Georgia U20

Australia U20 vs Japan U20

England U20 vs Italy U20

New Zealand U20 vs Wales U20

South Africa U20 vs Ireland U20

credit: worldrugby

Posted By: Grant Constable

4 Comments

  • rugbydump
    2:33 PM 05/06/2018

    That four-hour gap between posts, phew

  • im1
    8:16 AM 05/06/2018

    Lucky you got in there to correct yourself before anyone else!

    Regardless, there is no way Scotland are beating England, let alone by 44 points and 4 tries. England's team is a bit ridiculous with Smith and Curry playing who are already premiership regulars.

  • wark
    5:17 AM 05/06/2018

    Apologies I am incorrect, due to that if there is a points tie in the pool the two teams are ranked by who won the individual game not on points difference like most tournaments. So if England and Argentina get 10 pts England advances due to having beaten Argentina in the pool match. Rgds...

  • wark
    1:28 AM 05/06/2018

    With all due respect to Rugby Dump England are not confirmed Semi-Finalists but I would not bet against them though. The following four game result scenario would result in England not reaching the semi-finals:- 1) Australia to beat NZ by 2 pts with 4 tries, 2) Scotland to beat England by 44pts with 4 tries 3) France to beat South Africa by 2 pts with 4 tries and 4) Argentina to beat Italy by 36 pts with 4 tries. Cheers, Wark

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