England overpower France to win Under-20s World Cup

World Rugby Under-20 Championship final

England (7) 21

Try: Bailey, Green Con: Kerr Pen: Kerr 3

France (6) 13

Try: Ferte Con: Reus Pen: Reus 2

England ended France's dominance of the Under-20 World Cup and claimed their first title since 2016 with a 21-13 victory in the final.

Lock Joe Bailey powered over from close range to score the opening try and hand England a narrow lead at half-time in Cape Town after Hugo Reus' two penalties for France.

England's forwards continued to outmuscle the French pack after the interval and Arthur Green picked up from the base of the scrum to score their second try.

Sean Kerr's three penalties edged England further in front as Mathis Ferte's late consolation try could not prevent France falling short in their pursuit of a fourth consecutive title.

Victory for Mark Mapletoft's England caps a fine year in which they also won the Under-20 Six Nations.

It is England's fourth Under-20s title, having not reached the final for six years.

England: Jones; Redshaw, Waghorn, Kerr, Wills; Coen, Allan; Opoku-Fordjour, Wright, Fasogbon, Bailey, Kpoku, Carnduff (capt), Pollock, James.

Replacements: Isaacs, Miell, Halliwell, Sodeke, Green, Friday, Bellamy, Hall.

France: Ferte; Biasotto, Brau-Boirie, Taccola, Mousques; Reus, Carbonneau; Julien, Massa, Duchene, Gambini, Mezou, Quere-Karaba, Malaterre, Castro-Ferreira.

Replacements: Lacombre, Jean-Christophe, Marceline, Kante-Samba, Liufau, Tolofua, Belaubre, Desperes-Rigou.