England dominate in team of tournament
After the 2024 U20s World Championship came to a close on Friday, our reporters Ben Jaycock, William Gupwell and James Orpin picked the best XV from the tournament
ENGLAND were the standout side across this year’s World Championship and as a result the tournament winners have earned themselves over half of the selections in our Dream Team.
The English pack that has been guided by forwards coach Nathan Catt have been the backbone of their success, revelling in the set-piece and were the difference in Friday’s 21-13 triumph in the final.
England’s tight five camps last year have clearly borne fruit with an all English front row selected, such is Mark Mapletoft’s side’s power up front.
Captain Finn Carnduff has led from the front, with his leadership doing the talking in England’s back row, alongside Northampton Saints’ dynamic loose forward Henry Pollock.
Meanwhile, England’s backline clicked into gear as the freescoring contingent of Jack Bracken, Sean Kerr and Ben Redshaw are rewarded with selections.
Finalists France are represented in the form of beefy second row Charly Gambini due to his work in the engine room, to go alongside star fly-half Hugo Reus, whose flair and clinical goal kicking proved instrumental for Les Bleus.
Spirited Wales can take heart from their campaign and despite their senior side’s shortcomings, Warren Gatland will be quietly pleased with how the included Morgan Morse and Macs Page are developing.
No team would be complete without a sprinkling of Fijian flair and potent wing Aisea Nawai has that in abundance.
1. Asher Opoku-Fordjour (England)
– The dominant loosehead led the way in the destructive English front row all tournament, ensuring them victory in tight games. It’s clear to see why he’s received first team opportunities with Sale Sharks and is seen as a possible answer to England’s seniors ageing front row.
2. Craig Wright (England)
– Another member of the dominant English front row at scrum time, but what Wright brings to his almost all 80-minute performances across the tournament has been his dominant carries and physicality.
3. Billy Sela (England)
– Whilst unfortunately now injured and having missed the final, the giant Bath tighthead, who weighs 18st 4lbs and is 6ft 4in, makes up the last of the English front row trio that destroyed opposition scrums.
4. Efrian Elias (Argentina) –
The Los Pumitas captain has been leading from the front for his side. He scored the opening try in his side’s brilliant first half against England. His work rate in the tackle area and turnovers has been a shining light for Argentina.
5. Charly Gambini (France)
– The giant 6ft 5in, 16st 8lb in the second row for the French has been a key cog in helping them into their fourth Championship final in a row. He topped the tackle count in the dominant victory over New Zealand and scored a try in that semi-final win.
6. Finn Carnduff (England) –
Despite the presence of Six Nations player of the tournament Henry Pollock, it has been the captain who has impressed the most in the England back row. A dominant presence across the park, his leadership has been key to leading his side to glory.
7. Henry Pollock (England) –
The 2024 Six Nations player of the tournament rose to another showpiece event, delivering a back row masterclass in the final. Whether it’s through his tackling, jackling, carrying or energy, Pollock looks certain to go on and become an international star.
8. Morgan Morse (Wales) –
Whilst Wales haven’t quite had the tournament they would have hoped for, Morse’s performances have been a major positive. Topping the tackle stats in almost every game he’s played, his physicality has qualities of a future world class No.8.
9. Dylan Pledger (New Zealand) –
With tries against France in both games and against Wales in the opener game, Pledger has marshalled his side well across the tournament from the pivotal position at scrum-half.
10. Hugo Reus (France) –
If history tells us one thing, it is that the man who fills the fly-half shirt has always been critical to the continual success of these French U20s sides. From Romain Ntmack to Louis Carbonel and now Reus this year. Reus’ goal-kicking was near perfect and he expertly controlled the attacking flair and ambition of his side.
11. Jack Bracken (England) –
Following a hat-trick on debut, Bracken hasn’t continued his try-scoring rate but has continued to impress with his quick feet consistently providing England with an attacking option.
12. Sean Kerr (England) –
Benefiting off the back of his dominant pack, Kerr has been consistent off the tee and provides ballast in the centre when England needed to get over the gain line. His goal kicking was crucial to his side’s title, scoring 21 out of England’s 31 points against Ireland in the semi-final.
13. Macs Page (Wales)–
Along with Morse, Page has been the other positive among the Welsh squad. He started with a world-class try in the opener against New Zealand and a hat-trick against Australia his versatility to play on the wing makes him a dynamic option in the backline, akin to George North.
14. Aisea Nawai (Fiji) –
This hasn’t quite been the tournament for wingers scoring tries, but a hat-trick against Georgia and a try against Argentina, has shown Nawai is certainly an attacking threat out wide for the flying Fijians.
15. Ben Redshaw (England) –
The Newcastle Falcons flyer has been consistently quality for England at full-back with a dynamic attacking presence, as well as being safe under the high ball. He would have been gutted to miss out on Friday’s final, having to pull out in the warm up.