Sport

Ireland v France World Rugby U20 Championship Final preview

Head coach Richie Murphy (Photo By Ben McShane/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Ireland will take on France in the final of the World Rugby U20 Championship this coming Friday.

A number of Ireland's younger stars are on the precipice of history at the underage level and also have the chance to complete a trophy double by winning the tournament.

Ritchie Murphy's side has already won the U20 Grand Slam this year, and this included wins over Sébastien Calvet's side in the spring.

Here's a full preview of the game

Ireland have made one change for the U20 World Championship rugby final on Friday. (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

When is it on?

Friday, July 14.

Where is it being played?

Athlone Stadium in Cape Town

What time is it on?

Kick-off is scheduled for 6pm Irish time.

What TV station will show the game?

Virgin Media 2 will show the game

What time does coverage start?

17.30pm

What are the teams?

Our line up for Friday's World Rugby U20 Championship Final! 🟢#FutureIsGreen | @PwCIreland

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) July 12, 2023

Ireland u20s team to face France

15. Henry McErlean
14. Andrew Osborne
13. Hugh Gavin 12. John Devine
11. James Nicholson
10. Sam Prendergast 9. Fintan Gunne

1. Paddy McCarthy, 2. Gus McCarthy 3. Ronan Foxe
4. Diarmuid Mangan 5. Conor O’Tighearnaigh
6.James McNabney 7. Ruadhan Quinn 8. Brian Gleeson

Replacements

16. Max Clein, 17. George Hadden .18. Fiachna Barrett .19. Charlie Irvine .20. Evan O’Connell .21. Oscar Cawley .22. Matthew Lynch 23. Sam Berman

France U20 team to face Ireland

15.Mathis Ferte
14. Leo Drouet,
13. Nicolas Depoortere, 12. Paul Costes,
11. Theo Attissogbe;
10. Hugo Reus, 9. Baptiste Jauneau

1. Louis Penverne, 2. Pierre Jouvin, 3. Zaccharie Affane;
4. Hugo Auradou, 5. Posolo Tuilagi
6. Lenni Nouchi (capt), 7. Oscar Jegou, 8. Marko Gazzotti.

Replacements:

16. Thomas Lacombre, 17. Lino Julien, 18. Thomas Duchene, 19. Brent Liufau, 20. Mathis Castro Ferreira, 21. Leo Carbonneau, 22. Arthur Mathiron, 23. Clement Mondinat.

☘⚡🇫🇷 𝐋𝐀 𝐕𝐎𝐈𝐋𝐀 !

😍 L'équipe de #FranceU20 qui affrontera l'Irlande en finale des Championnats du Monde !

📺 Le match est à suivre vendredi en direct sur @lachainelequipe.
#NeFaisonsXV #IRLFRA #WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/ia336mMijR

— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) July 12, 2023

What happened the last time the sides met?

Ireland edged a 64-point thriller 33-31 in the U20 Six Nations in Feburary

Who were the scorers that day?

Ireland

Tries: McCarthy (13), Gavin (30), Gleeson (70)
Conversions: Prendergast (14,31,71)
Penalties: Prendergast (11,25,43,78)

France

Tries: Auradou (19), Liufau (35), Attissogbe (59), Nouchi (62), Benmegal (73)
Conversions: Raffy (20,36), Reus (74)

How many U20 World Championships have both sides got?

France: 2 (2018, 2019)

Ireland: 0

What happened to Ireland in the last final?

Ireland lost to hosts England 45-21 in the final in 2016. The likes of Andrew Porter, Hugo Keenan, James Ryan, and Jacob Stockdale were all part of that side

How have both teams got to this year's final?

Ireland U20 last 3

09/07/2023 World Rugby U20 Championship Semi Final

31 - 12 v South Africa U20 (h)

04/07/2023 World Rugby U20 Championship Pool B

47 - 27 v Fiji U20 (h)

29/06/2023 World Rugby U20 Championship Pool B

30 - 10 v Australia U20 (a)

24/06/2023 World Rugby U20 Championship Pool B

France U20 last 6

09/07/2023 World Rugby U20 Championship Semi Final

52 - 31 v Eng U20 (h)

04/07/2023 World Rugby U20 Championship Pool A

43 - 19 v Wales U20 (h)

29/06/2023 World Rugby U20 Championship Pool A

35 - 14 v New Zealand U20 (h)

24/06/2023 World Rugby U20 Championship Pool A

What has been said?

Ritchie Murphy: “The entire group are fully focused on producing our best performance of the season on Friday night because we know we’ll need it against a very strong France team. We have made good progress throughout the tournament but we will need to fine-tune all areas of our game for the final," he said.

"The players and staff are excited about the challenge ahead and we look forward to representing Ireland in the World Rugby U20 Championship final. The level of support we have received from back home throughout has been incredible and a major boost for everyone, and we will do everything to finish the season on the ultimate high," he added.