‘England have grip on World’
ENGLAND Under-20 rugby coach Ian Vass reckons his side have been living on the edge in the Junior World Cup – and it can pay off in today’s final against New Zealand.
Vass’s men beat Australia by a point in the pool stages and South Africa at the death in the semi-final thanks to a last-ditch score from skipper Zach Mercer.
A win would give England their fourth title in five World Cups, joining previous winning teams skippered by Jack Clifford, Maro Itoje and Harry Mallinder.
And Vass insists his squad can put the squeeze on the Kiwis in Tbilisi.
Vass said: “We have had a tougher route to the final than New Zealand. However, tight games bring the best out of the team, and we have shown how to come out on top.”
London Irish centre Theo Brophy-Clews is injured so Wasps centre Jacob Umaga starts his first game of the tournament. New Zealand v England, today 3pm, ITV4.