World Rugby u20 Championship

[Welshdragon2000]

Not sure if anyone watched them by Georgia played very well. I expected them to lose by 25 points but they held on right to the end. Aprasidze picked up a knock though which is worrying as he's fantastic so hopefully he'll be okay.

Wales did very well beating Australia tonight. Know a couple of the lads in the team too. New Zealand players look much more physically superior to other sides in the competition.

 

[ratsapprentice]

No idea, just know that thats where the Wales games are being shown over here

Little surprised ours aren't on sky and blocked on the streams - usually our u20s are.

Sky are pulling out of RU.

 

[Leinster Fan]

New Zealand were playing Japan who I'd say are the weakest team by a distance so I wouldn't read to much into that game although they're obviously very talented as always.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Geez the refereeing at this tournament is very bad. And the TMO's a overly critical with some things, and with other things couldn't be bothered.

In the SA vs. Georgia match, the loosehead prop from Georgia at every second scrum, collapsed the scrum by pulling straight down, yet the referee gave a reset every damn time, not one single penalty!

But other than that, our guys looked very rusty. Damian Willemse was unbelievably poor. I couldn't believe it was the same guy that was playing for the Stormers and have been touted to play for the Senior bok team.

We had 3 disallowed tries, 2 of them I thought the TMO made an incorrect ruling, but so be it.

And why are the referees not penalising these low tackles where the guys just drop their shoulder on their way to the ground???

 

[RedruthRFC]

And why are the referees not penalising these low tackles where the guys just drop their shoulder on their way to the ground???

My best guess would be that they're so hung up on policing the new high tackle line, that other things are passing them by. If the English guys who have been sent are typical of the overall standard, they're pretty experienced guys at a decent level.

 

[TRF_heineken]

My best guess would be that they're so hung up on policing the new high tackle line, that other things are passing them by. If the English guys who have been sent are typical of the overall standard, they're pretty experienced guys at a decent level.

I hope so, because during the SA v Georgia game, the commentator mentioned that this is also a great way to train the referees, and I thought, that is not what you are supposed to hear at a World Cup...

 

[RedruthRFC]

I hope so, because during the SA v Georgia game, the commentator mentioned that this is also a great way to train the referees, and I thought, that is not what you are supposed to hear at a World Cup...

I'm no great authority on English referees, let alone those from other coutries, but a few Google searches tells me that the English referee Tom Foley has taken charge of more than 50 Premiership games and AR Christophe Ridley a handful. Not something to get too carried away about, but half of the referees are well enough known to have their own Wikipedia pages. Strangely South African referee Jaco van Heerden's page says he retired in 2017 though!

I take your point about training, but it seems reasonable to use U20 internationals as a stepping stone for referees who have proved themselves in top level domestic leagues en route to taking charge of full international matches.

 

[Thingimubob]

What a butchered try by the French. Btw is anyone unable to watch only the Wales game due to geographic restrictions?

S4C stream games live on their Facebook page too I think if you wanna watch the next ones! Though they may also be blocked as well.

Great win for Wales anyway, and good to get revenge on the Aussies for last year's loss! Hoping we'll be competitive vs NZ, but massive improvements will be needed to stand any sort of chance. Not expecting anyone from that pool to have a chance of making the semis as best runner up anyway due to the likely hammering the NZ will be handing out to all sides.

Italy winning with a BP makes things very interesting however, and if they can do the same to Argentina and frustrate England like they did in the 6N, then they could stand a decent chance of squeezing into the semi finals!

 

[FrenchFan]

Romain N'Tamack was excellent. He made the difference in a close game. Setup 1 try scored another one. He's going to be a star. He already is one at Toulouse.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Romain N'Tamack was excellent. He made the difference in a close game. Setup 1 try scored another one. He's going to be a star. He already is one at Toulouse.

N'Tamack ran the show for France against Ireland in the 6 Nations too. Definitely a future star.

I thought Jordan Joseph was outstanding for France too. Punched holes throughout the second half and had a good offloading game. Definitely one to watch.

 

[Leinster Fan]

Was Joseph Jordan no.20? If so I definitely agree. Couldn't figure out for the life if me why he wasn't starting. N'Tamack has been very good both times we've played France this year.

 

[FrenchFan]

N'Tamack ran the show for France against Ireland in the 6 Nations too. Definitely a future star.

I thought Jordan Joseph was outstanding for France too. Punched holes throughout the second half and had a good offloading game. Definitely one to watch.

NTamack has been excellent for Toulouse. Zack Holmes who has been solid may not keep the 10 jersey for much longer next season...

Dupont won us games almost single-handedly before doing his cruciates in 6N. Ntamack and Dupont at 10 and 9 next season... tasty...they're going to surprise many in Top 14.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

England U20s side to play Italy:

15. Tom Parton (London Irish)

14. Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins)

13. Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints)

12. Will Butler (Worcester Warriors)

11. Ben Loader (London Irish)

10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)

9. Rory Brand (London Irish)

1. Alex Seville (Gloucester Rugby)

2. Henry Walker (Gloucester Rugby)

3. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers)

4. Joel Kpoku (Saracens)

5. Sam Lewis (Leicester Tigers)

6. Tom Willis (Wasps Rugby)

7. Ben Curry - captain (Sale Sharks)

8. Josh Basham (London Irish)

Replacements

16. Gabriel Oghre (Wasps Rugby)

17. Ciaran Knight (Gloucester Rugby)

18. Ehren Painter (Northampton Saints)

19. James Scott (Worcester Warriors)

20. Aaron Hinkley (Gloucester Rugby)

21. Ben White (Leicester Tigers)

22. Tom Hardwick (Leicester Tigers)

23. Jordan Olowofela (Leicester Tigers)

A very good backline.

Parton didn't have a great game v Argentina but a proven operator.

I prefer Hardwick to Grayson on the bench too, IMO England looked better when Hardwick played at 10 than Grayson (who IMO is overrated just becuase of his surname).
Good to see Brand get a go starting aswell.

Forwards still not sold on Kpoku being ready yet for U20's needs to realise he has to put more power in his hits at this level size alone won't do much, but it's a good pack and a very good bench. On paper our best backrow IMO.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Hill > Willis

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Starting

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

What was Basham and Brand waiting for?

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Lovely hit by the Italian 10 in no way late.

Brand drew him and paid the price IMO.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Mackus Smiss

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Lovely finish by Smith.


I don't rate Dingwall at 13 though.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Italian 8 is a ******* state...