2016 World Rugby U20 Championship - Tournament Thread

[George Carlin]

First topic message reminder :

Can't see a tournament thread, so here we go.

The 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Championship will be the ninth annual international rugby union competition for Under 20 national teams.

The event is being organised in England by rugby's governing body, World Rugby. A total of 12 nations will play in the tournament, which will be held at two venues in Greater Manchester—AJ Bell Stadium in Salford and Manchester City Academy Stadium in Manchester.

New Zealand will go into the tournament as defending champions.

Pool A: New Zealand, Wales, Ireland, Georgia

Match 5: 7 June 2016 Wales 25 - 26 Ireland
Match 3: 7 June 2016 New Zealand 55 - 0 Georgia
Match 10: 11 June 2016 New Zealand 24 - 33 Ireland
Match 11: 11 June 2016 Wales 10 - 9 Georgia
Match 17: 15 June 2016 Ireland v Georgia
Match 14: 15 June 2016 New Zealand v Wales

Pool B: England, Australia, Scotland, Italy

Match 2: 7 June 2016 Australia 10 - 15 Scotland
Match 6: 7 June 2016 England 48 - 10 Italy
Match 7: 11 June 2016 Australia 38 - 10 Italy
Match 12: 11 June 2016 England 44 - 0 Scotland
Match 16: 15 June 2016 Scotland v Italy
Match 15: 15 June 2016 England v Australia

Pool C: South Africa, France, Argentina, Japan

Match 1: 7 June 2016 France 15 - 24 Argentina
Match 4: 7 June 2016 South Africa 59 - 19 Japan
Match 8: 11 June 2016 France 46 - 14 Japan
Match 9: 11 June 2016 South Africa 13 - 19 Argentina
Match 13: 15 June 2016 Argentina v Japan
Match 18: 15 June 2016 South Africa v France

Good luck, everyone.

[mikey_dragon]

Barrett who shouldn't have been on the pitch slots the kick to win them the game.

[carpet baboon]

Sorry Wales. You did not deserve to lose

[SecretFly]

Poor Georgians...tears.

[Guest]

Great result for Ireland. Nice to finish with the try.

[Guest]

Heart breaking for Wales to lose right at the end.

[mikey_dragon]

I think losing is a fair result. There weren't many attempts to increase the lead, it was more "keep it tight and defend". It was working for a while so NZ kept ball in hand and we didn't respond to it. Besides that our goal-kickers are crap and our backs can't tackle. Being without the likes of Watkin and Beard, our two best players was always going to put us at a disadvantage anyway.

Anyone know who our next opponents might be?

[whocares]

Too early to say but possibly Scotland or France I would guess Mikey

[SecretFly]

I think losing is a fair result. There weren't many attempts to increase the lead, it was more "keep it tight and defend". It was working for a while so NZ kept ball in hand and we didn't respond to it. Besides that our goal-kickers are crap and our backs can't tackle. Being without the likes of Watkin and Beard, our two best players was always going to put us at a disadvantage anyway.

Anyone know who our next opponents might be?

I was going to ask the same question about us! I never have a clue how it all works from here on in: "Seed 11 plays winner of the last game before the game played before Georgia lost."

[eirebilly]

Wales really underperformed this tournament. The baby blacks were there for the taking today but the Welsh just sat back and invited them to attack. Really gutting way to lose when Barrett should have been red carded for the late, no arms hit. The TMO even said it was no arms, how could he advise only a yellow?

[eirebilly]

I think Ireland may play Argentina now?

[SecretFly]

Oh thanks billy. That's nice. Nice memories of them boys. Bye Bye u20s

[mikey_dragon]

Playing Scotland? They had the chance for a top 4 finish but blew it when they rotated for the England game.

[RiscaGame]

Barrett's charge on Dan Jones - off the ball, behind the gain line, a no-arms shoulder to the face and only got a yellow card.

To me, the ref wasn't wanting to give any card and had to get talked into even a yellow by the TMO. Farcical. You'd think that given all NZ teams are that good, they wouldn't have to resort to cowardly cheap shots.

[RiscaGame]

I can't believe that call with three mins to go for us to go for the tail at the lineout either. Shocking.

[eirebilly]

Barrett's charge on Dan Jones - off the ball, behind the gain line, a no-arms shoulder to the face and only got a yellow card.

To me, the ref wasn't wanting to give any card and had to get talked into even a yellow by the TMO. Farcical. You'd think that given all NZ teams are that good, they wouldn't have to resort to cowardly cheap shots.

The ref had no playback options available to him so had to rely on the TMO, he clearly asked the TMO for his recommendation. It was the TMO that bottled it, not the ref.

[formerly known as Sam]

Barrett's charge on Dan Jones - off the ball, behind the gain line, a no-arms shoulder to the face and only got a yellow card.

To me, the ref wasn't wanting to give any card and had to get talked into even a yellow by the TMO. Farcical. You'd think that given all NZ teams are that good, they wouldn't have to resort to cowardly cheap shots.

The ref had no point of reference. He didn't see it in real time and he clearly said there was no picture on the screen in the stadium. The decision was purely for the TMO to make. The description was late and no arms. Given that was the description the yellow card was fitting. The TMO didn't feel the need to look closer as to where the shoulder connected.

England are seriously lacking a playmaker. Mallinder being given a lesson on controlling a game by Mason. We've had more territory but the error count is to high. Surely we have a better fullback than the lad we have on at the minute, he runs in so upright he's a walking turnover.

[ChequeredJersey]

Mallinder at 10 is an odd call at the moment anyway, right? Hasn't he mostly been playing 12?

[WELL-PAST-IT]

Mallinder at 10 is an odd call at the moment anyway, right? Hasn't he mostly been playing 12?

I have never seen him play 10, I think the original selection was injured and Prince Harry took over.

He is just too big to be a 10, as I said earlier, it takes a little bit longer to get a body that size moving.

The England pack need to earn the right to play it wide, they need to tie in a few more Aussies first, just throwing it wide every time is playing into their hands.

The full back is not going well and neither are the wingers, just trying too hard.

[ChequeredJersey]

Eng have a narrow lead now, thanks to 2 of the few players I know in this side

[formerly known as Sam]

Will Evans wins a penalty despite the attentions of half the Aussie pack and Mallinder puts England four points clear.

We seem to be struggling for a fly half in this age group. Protheroe was woeful during the 6N and TBC got injured in the first game. Mallinder has played ten at age grade before I think but is definitely more of a ten. He doesn't have that time on the ball you see with natural ten and as said above his long legs take time to kick the ball.

[Rugby Fan]

England ahead but Dewi Morris has named Mack Mason, the Australian fly half, as MOTM.

[lostinwales]

England win 17-13

[eirebilly]

Decent win there for England, well done

[trebellbobaggins]

Probably fair. Eng did well to dog that out though.

After that terrible 6n a top four finish is a real surprise.

[ChequeredJersey]

Strong win. Midfield looks our best area

[Cumbrian]

Probably fair.  Eng did well to dog that out though.

After that terrible 6n a top four finish is a real surprise.

Not that much of a surprise. England's 6 nations team were without four or five of their most influential players. Saying that, I think they will do well to get past the Baby Boks in the next round.

[Rugby Fan]

Given the result for South Africa, could Wales have made the semi-final if they had held on to win, or, like NZ, would they not have had enough points to be best second place finisher from the three pools?

[trebellbobaggins]

Probably fair.  Eng did well to dog that out though.

After that terrible 6n a top four finish is a real surprise.

Not that much of a surprise. England's 6 nations team were without four or five of their most influential players. Saying that, I think they will do well to get past the Baby Boks in the next round.

Yeah I don't think I had realised how weakened they were.

Yep the books look outstanding and eng look like they lack a true 10.

[formerly known as Sam]

England ahead but Dewi Morris has named Mack Mason, the Australian fly half, as MOTM.

Deserved. Played very well, he's got a nice selection of skills and didn't seem shy of getting stuck in, a little bit too much like Farrell at times. He does a passable impression of Foley ball in hand.

For England it was Evans and Williams that really looked the part. Captain Walker looks like he'll be a great signing for Bath.

[mikey_dragon]

What's that Sam, Bath taking players from other teams academies again?

[lostinwales]

England ahead but Dewi Morris has named Mack Mason, the Australian fly half, as MOTM.

Deserved. Played very well, he's got a nice selection of skills and didn't seem shy of getting stuck in, a little bit too much like Farrell at times. He does a passable impression of Foley ball in hand.

For England it was Evans and Williams that really looked the part. Captain Walker looks like he'll be a great signing for Bath.

Williams and Evans looked the pick of the players vs Scotland too. Props were also worth a mention at the weekend too

[whocares]

To answer Mikey earlier question properly now : Wales next game is against ... New Zealand.

[mikey_dragon]

What's the bet on Barrett not getting cited and playing in this match? What's the bets on Wales also not changing their tactics? These guys need to start playing more rugby.

[marty2086]

I think Ireland may play Argentina now?

I dont think Ireland have ever beaten them in the tournament before, hopefully another milestone ahead

[mikey_dragon]

Argentina are usually just okay at this level, I'd expect Ireland to beat them with the form they're in.

[Rugby Fan]

Argentina are usually just okay at this level, I'd expect Ireland to beat them with the form they're in.

Argentina have been better than OK this year. They are unbeaten, with South Africa among their scalps.

[mikey_dragon]

Yeah I just remembered that actually, they too must be in a rich vein of form. I'd be surprised if they went the whole way, but it would be good to have a new winner of this competition.

[profitius]

Probably fair.  Eng did well to dog that out though.

After that terrible 6n a top four finish is a real surprise.

Not that much of a surprise. England's 6 nations team were without four or five of their most influential players. Saying that, I think they will do well to get past the Baby Boks in the next round.

More like the boks will do well to get past England.

[profitius]

I think Ireland may play Argentina now?

I dont think Ireland have ever beaten them in the tournament before, hopefully another milestone ahead

Last year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrhdQWm7D4g

[rodders]

Really impressed with this Irish team - they seem to have a good bit of leadership and are very well drilled, with good skill levels.

The scrum was mushed last night but generally the set piece has been good.

England must be heavy favorites now but I think we are in with a shout of the title based on what I've seen.

[Golden]

Anyone know if James Ryan will be back for the semi?

[Poorfour]

Will Evans wins a penalty despite the attentions of half the Aussie pack and Mallinder puts England four points clear.

We seem to be struggling for a fly half in this age group. Protheroe was woeful during the 6N and TBC got injured in the first game. Mallinder has played ten at age grade before I think but is definitely more of a ten. He doesn't have that time on the ball you see with natural ten and as said above his long legs take time to kick the ball.

TBC is quite a big loss; one problem with U20s is that you can't - almost by definition - have the strength in depth that you do at senior levels, because you only have one or two birth years to pick from. So if a key player gets injured (as Marchant did last year), it seriously damages the team. On the plus side, Theo is still very young and IIRC will be back next year having had a year of experience playing in the Championship.

One thing that surprised me is that I know Marchant can and does play 10 from time to time, and I would have thought it made more sense to keep Mallinder at 12 and move Marchant inside. Amongst other things, it might mean he gets his hands on the ball more often... though I was impressed - given his size - how many yards he made carrying rubbish ball into heavy traffic.

[formerly known as Sam]

What's that Sam, Bath taking players from other teams academies again?

They've stopped pillaging LI and looked North. He's already a regular at Leeds, sorry Yorkshire. With Webber leaving Bath for Sale I'd expect him to be in the Bath team a fair bit next season.

Poorfour, that is true but we normally manage to find more than one passable specialist fly half. Just seem a bit short in that department during this current squad. Is the Bath lad Jennings too old or injured? He didn't feature in the 6N either.

[LondonTiger]

TBC is one of the guys still eligible next year. With Rory Jennings, he turned 20 in December - not sure when the cut off date is for JWC.

[lostinwales]

Will Evans wins a penalty despite the attentions of half the Aussie pack and Mallinder puts England four points clear.

We seem to be struggling for a fly half in this age group. Protheroe was woeful during the 6N and TBC got injured in the first game. Mallinder has played ten at age grade before I think but is definitely more of a ten. He doesn't have that time on the ball you see with natural ten and as said above his long legs take time to kick the ball.

TBC is quite a big loss; one problem with U20s is that you can't - almost by definition - have the strength in depth that you do at senior levels, because you only have one or two birth years to pick from. So if a key player gets injured (as Marchant did last year), it seriously damages the team. On the plus side, Theo is still very young and IIRC will be back next year having had a year of experience playing in the Championship.

One thing that surprised me is that I know Marchant can and does play 10 from time to time, and I would have thought it made more sense to keep Mallinder at 12 and move Marchant inside. Amongst other things, it might mean he gets his hands on the ball more often... though I was impressed - given his size - how many yards he made carrying rubbish ball into heavy traffic.

You also have Williams at 12 who you will want to play. Dunno how good he would be at 13 but a Mallinder/Williams 12/13 would be a pretty massive combo.

As things stand it is odd seeing the biggest looking player on your team playing 10..

[brennomac]

Really impressed with this Irish team - they seem to have a good bit of leadership and are very well drilled, with good skill levels.

The scrum was mushed last night but generally the set piece has been good.

England must be heavy favorites now but I think we are in with a shout of the title based on what I've seen.

Rodders agre England are favourites now but they weren't great last night and if our puppies play like they did v NZ then we can beat them. But hey we have to beat the Argies first - assume they must be pretty good to win 3 out of 3 though haven't seen any of their games. Any views on how good they are?

[SecretFly]

Really impressed with this Irish team - they seem to have a good bit of leadership and are very well drilled, with good skill levels.

The scrum was mushed last night but generally the set piece has been good.

England must be heavy favorites now but I think we are in with a shout of the title based on what I've seen.

Rodders agre England are favourites now but they weren't great last night and if our puppies play like they did v NZ then we can beat them.  But hey we have to beat the Argies first - assume they must be pretty good to win 3 out of 3 though haven't seen any of their games.  Any views on how good they are?

They must be good. Let's behave ourselves and this time actually believe it

Argentina AND England (perhaps). It's only just started for the Irish boys. Against Georgia, albeit with a much changed side, they often played with a lumbering heaviness of feet that allowed Georgia to feel they could keep charging back into the game. They were also too old-school route-one when attacking close to the line - first thought was too often contact rather than an attempt at subtle movement to perhaps evade one or two put-downs.

They'll need to be much much sharper from here on in.

[PenfroPete]

MONDAY 20 JUNE
15:15 – NEW ZEALAND U20 v WALES U20 – U20 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 5TH PLACE SEMI-FINAL - S4C plus Sky Sports 3

15:15 – Georgia U20 v Italy U20 – 9th Place Semi-Final - U20 World Championships- Sky Sports 3 Red Button

17:30 – France U20 v Japan U20 – 9th Place Semi-Final - U20 World Championships- Sky Sports 3 Red Button

17:30 – IRELAND U20 v ARGENTINA U20 – U20 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL – TG4 plus Sky Sports 3

19:45 – ENGLAND U20 v SOUTH AFRICA U20 – U20 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL – TG4 plus Sky Sports 3

19:45 – Scotland U20 v Australia U20 – 5th Place Semi-Final - U20 World Championships- Sky Sports 3 Red Button

[LondonTiger]

England squad to play South Africa:

15 Max Malins (Saracens)
14 Sam Aspland-Robinson (Harlequins)
13 Joe Marchant (Harlequins)
12 Johnny Williams (London Irish)
11 Matt Gallagher (Saracens)
10 Harry Mallinder - Captain (Northampton Saints)
9 Max Green (Yorkshire Carnegie)

1 Lewis Boyce (Yorkshire Carnegie)
2 Jack Singleton (Worcester Warriors)
3 Billy Walker (Saracens)
4 Stan South (Harlequins)
5 Huw Taylor (Worcester Warriors)
6 George Nott (Sale Sharks)
7 Will Evans (Leicester Tigers)
8 Callum Chick (Newcastle Falcons)

Replacements:

16 Charlie Piper (Harlequins)
17 Tom West (Wasps)
18 Will Stuart (Wasps)
19 Andrew Kitchener (Worcester Warriors)
20 Jack Willis (Wasps)
21 Harry Randall (Gloucester Rugby)
22 Max Wright (Yorkshire Carnegie)
23 Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby)

England Head Coach Martin Haag has made six changes to his side for Monday’s World Rugby Under 20 Championship semi-final against South Africa at Manchester City Academy Stadium (7.45pm, Sky Sports 3).

Haag’s side head into the last four of the competition as the top seed with Ireland and Argentina contesting the other semi-final.

Max Malins is selected at full-back while wing Sam Aspland-Robinson and scrum-half Max Green also return to the side.

Prop Billy Walker and No 8 Callum Chick earn recalls, while Jack Singleton is named at hooker in place of the injured Jack Walker.

“Everyone is very excited in the camp, we set out our goals at the start of the tournament and we are achieving those goals,” said Haag.

“The challenge for us now is to keep improving and we are excited about the opportunity to play South Africa in a home semi-final. The players have been absolutely superb and we need to make sure we come out the other side with a victory.”

Harry Mallinder will captain England on Monday in place of Jack Walker who has been medically replaced after sustaining a concussion during England’s game against Australia on 15 June.

The hooker will remain in camp while going through the graduated return to play protocol with his place in the squad taken by Charlie Piper (Harlequins).

[formerly known as Sam]

Losing Walker is a big blow. Singleton isn't great at the lineout.

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