England’s title defence at the World Rugby U20 Championship faces an early challenge, with suspension news compounding pressure ahead of their toughest pool match yet.
After easing past Scotland in their opener, the young Red Roses now prepare for a bruising battle against South Africa – without one of their key forwards.
WORLD RUGBY SANCTIONS ENGLAND U20 STAR
This is after World Rugby handed loose forward George Timmins a five-match ban for foul play. The Bath back-rower was cited for striking Scotland’s Ollie Blyth-Lafferty with his elbow during Sunday’s U20 Champions Pool A match in Verona. The blow left the Scottish prop needing stitches, and Timmins’ suspension effectively rules him out for the rest of the tournament.
The ban also affects his availability for Bath’s early pre-season clash against Glasgow Warriors in September. Timmins’ absence forces England into a back-row reshuffle just days before their biggest test so far.
Head coach Mark Mapletoft now faces selection headaches against a resurgent Junior Springbok pack full of confidence and physicality.
HIGH STAKES CLASH AGAINST JUNIOR BOKS TO DETERMINE POOL
Despite playing much of the second half a man down, England cruised past Scotland 56–19 with pace and precision out wide. But the Junior Springboks, who ran in 11 tries during their 73–17 demolition of Australia’s U20 side, pose a far more serious threat to England’s title defence. The Junior Boks dominated the breakdown and punished turnovers ruthlessly, showing a clinical edge England must match.
The fixture, set for 6pm on Friday, 4 July in Verona, could decide who tops Pool A and earns a favourable quarter-final draw. England captain Tom Burrow has praised South Africa’s firepower and insists his team will have to tighten up to match their intensity.
WHICH SIDE – BETWEEN ENGLAND AND THE JUNIOR BOKS – WILL WIN THEIR U20 CLASH?
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