>> Junior World Cup action
SCRUM-HALF Ben White insists there is plenty in the tank as England’s rampant U20s head into Tuesday’s semi-final showdown with South Africa in Narbonne.
While a physical Junior Springboks outfit proved too good for England a month ago, defeating them 26-12 in World Cup warmup match in Worcester, White reckons his team are a different beast now after convincing victories over Argentina, Italy and Scotland
As top seeds from the Pool stages, having notched 18 tries and conceded just four, Leicester pivot White, below, told
The Rugby Paper: “We learnt what South Africa were like last month; they’re a big, physical side who will be very competitive going into this game.
“Even though that last game didn’t go our way, we were there or thereabouts in Worcester and we’ve moved forward a lot since then. We’ve got a good group of players with lots of strength-in-depth, so we can take a lot of belief that we can get the win.
“There’s a lot more to come from us as well. We’ve shown in glimpses throughout the three games of what we can do but we haven’t quite put it all together for the full 80. If we can connect a bit more, we’ll be a very strong side going into this last week.”
White added: “The progression we’ve made over the three games so far has been good and the more time the boys have spent together, the better we’ve played.
“It was a hard game against Scotland and in slightly wet conditions they were trying to disrupt the game. But we did well to control how we wanted to play and came out convincing winners, so it was good to back up wins over Argentina and Italy.
“We’ve tried to test ourselves throughout the group stage and tried to throw the ball around and play from all areas. Going into this semi-final, it’s more about looking after the ball, building phases and controlling the game.”
White, who captained England against Scotland, acknowledges discipline is critical, having seen lock forward and Leicester club-mate Sam Lewis redcarded and banned for a dangerous tackle against Italy before James Grayson saw yellow for a high shot against Scotland. White said: “It’s something you’re conscious of, especially with the new law changes, so we’re focussed on being really disciplined in all aspects of our game whilst still making sure we are the physical side we want to be. It can’t stop us from being that. “It’s gutting for Sam what happened, but he’s still around the squad and it’s good to have someone who can watch stuff and help in training. We’re a close-knit group working hard for each other and the badge.” While Lewis’s misfortune places additional burden on remaining locks Joel Kpoku and James Scott, head coach Steve Bates backs them to meet the challenge. He said: “Joel came into the squad late after suffering a broken foot earlier in the season and has done a fantastic job. He’s ready to go again and James has been great as well.
“James is a really good footballer and is running the lineout well, so the guys are right behind him in terms of his option taking and our forwards are working well together.
“Sam Lewis was a bit unlucky and his ban leaves us a quality player short, but Ted Hill is a very good second row from Worcester and Josh Basham, while ostensibly a back row, has played in the second row for London Irish in Europe and the Anglo-Welsh Cup.”
Star men Ben Curry and
Marcus Smith are set to be welcomed back after sitting out the Scotland game.
Bates added: “Because we booked our semi-final place early we were able to give guys who’d played a lot of Premiership rugby, like Ben and Marcus, a good rest. They didn’t play at all against Scotland so they’ve had a great opportunity to recover.
“The rest of the guys are in good shape as well, so selection is difficult and there will be a few disappointed people, but it’s a squad effort, which at this stage of the tournament is vital.”