England U21s To Take on the World

England U21s are off to France for the start of the 2006 IRB U21 World Championship.

England finished in seventh place last year but go into this tournament as Grand Slam champions with an experienced squad, with well over half of the 26 man squad having made regular premiership appearances. 

U21 World Championship – Vichy, France

England U21 match schedule (times are local, France is +1 hour)

Friday 9th June - England v Fiji - 18.00, Vichy     

Tuesday 13th June    - England v New Zealand - 20.30,   Vichy  

Saturday 17th June   - England v Scotland - 18.00, Riom           

Wednesday 21st June - semi finals - tbc, Marcel Michelin / Vichy / Issoire      

Sunday 25th June - finals tbc - Marcel Michelin / Vichy / Issoire 

Said England U21 and National Academy Coach Jim Mallinder, “We set ourselves a benchmark with our performances in the Six Nations.  Our goal is to move onwards and upwards and improve our team and individual performances against very tough opposition.  This is an important tournament as it allows us to judge where we are against the rest of the world.

“The Six Nations was valuable preparation for us.  We had the benefit of five matches together in a competitive environment.  Having said that, the last match was several months ago and we’re looking forward to starting again with the same set of players plus a few useful additions.”

Two of the players joining the squad for the first time are England U19 forwards Iain Grieve of Bristol Rugby and Saracens’ Tom Mercey. 

“Iain was outstanding for the U19s in Dubai and it will be good to spend some time with him,” said Dorian West who joined up with Mallinder this season after a year coaching England U19s.  “I’ve worked with Tom before, he offers us something very positive particularly in the scrum.”

The five match tournament kicks off this Friday, when England take on 11^th seeds Fiji in Vichy in the Auverge region of France. 

Seven seeds England play further pool games against third seeds New Zealand on Tuesday 15 June and, the following Saturday, tkae on Scotland who are one place above them in the rankings.

The tournament format mirrors last year’s, with each of the twelve teams ranked and divided into four pools.  Teams in pool B play their pool matches against the three teams in pool C, with pool A sides facing pool D teams.  Points are awarded for winning (4) and drawing (2) with bonus points available for those who score four tries or lose by seven points or less.

After the initial stages, pools B and C are combined on one side of the draw, with A and D forming the other.  Teams in each half of the draw are ranked according to the total number of points scored.  The top two teams from each side then progress to the semi finals, with the remaining teams each playing two further games to determine their finishing position.

Pools (seedings)

Pool A

South Africa (1)

Wales (8)

Ireland (9)

Pool B

Australia (2)

England (7)

Italy (10)

Pool C

New Zealand (3)

Scotland (6)

Fiji (11)

Pool D

France (4)

Argentina (5)

Georgia (12)

The competition is tough and England know it but Mallinder and West are upbeat.  “It’s not a case of having 15 players.  With five games in a short space of time this is a squad tournament and, with the exception of one or two injuries and the promotion of Varndell and Tait, we’re really glad to be able to take a first choice squad.  “Ben Foden had a scan this morning that confirmed he is fit to travel with us despite picking up a knock playing for England Sevens at the weekend.”

Unofficial England Rugby would like to wish the U21 side the very best of luck!

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