After falling 53-37 to the Junior Springboks in the semi-finals, England U20s are framing Saturday's third-place play-off against New Zealand as an opportunity rather than a consolation. Scrum-half Lucas Friday points to genuine collective growth across the tournament — improved cohesion from a squad assembled from different clubs, and a marked step up from their Six Nations form earlier in the year. Head coach Andy Titterrell has rotated the starting XV, with four changes to the run-on side, signalling intent to finish the campaign on their own terms. For Springbok supporters, the semi-final result confirms the Junior Boks' dominance of that pool and sets up their own final berth — but the England camp's tone suggests they'll arrive in Tbilisi's third-place fixture with something to prove.
England U20s eye finishing statement against Baby Blacks after Junior Bok defeat
After losing to the Junior Springboks in the semis, England U20s are targeting a strong finish against New Zealand in Saturday's third-place play-off, with Lucas Friday citing real tournament-wide growth and Andy Titterrell rotating his side to make a statement.
Jake White: Henry's All Blacks return is a 'masterстroke' — and he's no ordinary selector
White calls Henry's return a masterstroke — not because of his selector credentials, but because of the psychological and cultural weight he brings to a rebuilding All Blacks camp. White also makes a pointed broader argument about the game's failure to learn from history, using his own 2007 World Cup experience as a case study.
Keo & Zels: Stubborn All Blacks policy make Boks smile
The boys love that New Zealand keep picking their second-best, long may it continue.
Barrett ruled out of South Africa tour with back injury requiring surgery
Scott Barrett faces back surgery and is ruled out for up to five months, missing the four-Test series against the Springboks in August and September as well as the July Nations Championship Tests — with his All Blacks captaincy already under question ahead of Dave Rennie's first squad announcement.
Junior Boks take World Cup confidence from NZ dogfight
Foote and Norton reflect on what a grinding draw against New Zealand reveals about where the Junior Boks are — and what still needs fixing — ahead of their World Cup title defence in Georgia.
Hooker targeting All Blacks opener after shoulder surgery, July Tests ruled out
Ethan Hooker is targeting the opening All Blacks Test in The Greatest Rivalry series after shoulder surgery, with the 23-year-old ruled out of all July Tests against England, Scotland and Wales.