Only our best will do, says Carnduff

By JAMES ORPIN

FINN Carnduff leads England U20s out to face old rivals Ireland today knowing they must produce their best 80 minutes of the tournament so far to book a place in Friday's World Championship final.

England's pack was supreme in their 17-12 victory over South Africa on Tuesday, secured by James Isaacs' 86th minute try, to ensure they topped Pool C to finish as second seeds for the last four.

Ireland's final pool match against Australia was cancelled due to torrential rain in Cape Town leaving them as third seeds. Top seeds New Zealand face France in the other semi-final in a repeat of their pool match which the Junior All Blacks edged 27-26 with a last-minute conversion from Rico Simpson.

England, the U20 Six Nations champions, dethroned Ireland in March courtesy of an extra bonus point after they had played out an enthralling 32-all draw, and Carnduff expects another bruising encounter.

Coach: Mark Mapletoft

“Previously we have not stuck to what we have wanted to do for a full game and if we do that on Sunday we can put ourselves on the right side of the result,” the Leicester blindside said. “But they are a great team, we respect them, and they will punish us if we give them the opportunity. That's the area we need to improve on the most.”

Ireland's only games in the tournament have been against Italy and Georgia, while England saw off Argentina – who had beaten South Africa – and Fiji prior to the victory over the Baby Boks.

England have just a five-day turnaround while Ireland go into the match with a 10-day turnaround but Carnduff added: “As soon as we start thinking about Ireland, and what has happened with them over the last game week it takes us away from our controllables. We are not worrying about that.”

England's forwards coach Andy Titterrell is confident they can get the result. He said: “We are at the end of a good season where boys have had good game minutes from their clubs as well as out with us during this whole campaign so they definitely won't be rusty and it's a great occasion to play in a semi-final.

“We have been building from last year really, when players such as Finn and others were part of our process and the identification of those players and they have been available for large parts of this year. With our camps at home, in the Six Nations, as well as our pre world cup camp out in Georgia with a couple of games.

“As long as we are learning from each game, and we are concentrating on ourselves as we know what we have to try and do and it's a matter of going out there and trying to deliver.”

Leader: Finn Carnduff in action for England U20s

PICTURES: Getty Images

Injuries have forced head coach Mark Mapletoft into making two changes to the England starting XV with tight-head Billy Sela and right winger Jack Bracken ruled out after picking up knocks against South Africa. Sela is replaced by Afolabi Fasogbon, who came off the bench against the Junior Boks, while Ben Redshaw switches from full-back to wing with Ioan Jones starting at 15. Cameron Miell and Toby Cousins come into the matchday squad.

Mapletoft said: “We are extremely proud of the performances and consequent results from our pool matches. The calibre of opposition was at such a high standard and to raise the performance lev-els on the last day in such trying conditions showed our unity as a team.

“Our bond as a group has only strengthened and we've found away through the challenges thrown at us. It fills me and the staff with immense pride and we know that is required again on Sunday.

“We have had fantastic Tests against Ireland over the last 12 months with nothing to separate the teams on the last two occasions. We know that will have to change this time around, but I have every confidence our boys will fight for the player next to them and reassert that brotherhood in the toughest moments.”

Munster back row Brian Gleeson captains Ireland with skipper Evan O'Connell ruled out of the remainder of the tournament through injury.

Coach Willie Faloon has brought in props Emmet Calvey and Patreece Bell, and switches James McKillop from the back row to lock allowing Sean Edogbo to come in at No.6.

Wales face Australia in the fifth-place semi-final this evening. The winner will play either South Africa or Argentina, with the hosts out for revenge after their defeat to Los Pumitas in round two. In the ninth-place semi-finals, Italy face Spain and Fiji take on Georgia.

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