England U20s will face New Zealand in Saturday’s third-place play-off at the Junior World Championship after a 53-37 semi-final defeat to the Junior Springboks in Tbilisi on Monday.
The result ends England’s run to the semi-finals, which was their first since 2024, but it also leaves them with one more high-level test before the tournament closes. New Zealand are the next opponent, and the meeting carries extra interest because England have not played the All Blacks at U20s level for a very long time.
Friday sees a clear step forward
Lucas Friday said the team have made major progress over the course of the tournament, pointing back to the Six Nations as the starting point. England finished third there behind France and Ireland earlier this year, but Friday said the squad have improved massively from that point to the World Championship.
He also said the group have grown tighter and more connected as the tournament has gone on, noting that each game has helped them progress massively as a unit. For England, that matters because the difference between a strong pool stage and a semifinal setback can often come down to how quickly a young side can keep its focus and respond.
Friday described the New Zealand match as a great opportunity, saying that pretty much none of the current squad have played them before. He added that it will be a good chance for the team to put their foot forward.
A chance to finish strongly
England’s coach Andy Titterrell also framed the fixture as a reward for the work the group has put in across the competition. He said the players and staff have shown commitment in building strong connections, taking ownership of development and supporting one another every step of the way.
Titterrell added that New Zealand will provide another huge test, but said there is real belief within the team and unity in the way they have prepared. The aim now is straightforward: finish the competition strongly and deliver a performance that reflects what England have built throughout the Championship.
Saturday’s play-off will not decide the title, but it does give England one more chance to measure themselves against elite opposition and leave the tournament on a positive note.
