It was great to beat Ireland in the semi-finals last Sunday. In our camp, we knew there was still more for us to give and we hadn’t shown a full reflection of our capabilities. With it being semi-final rugby it brought a lot of nerves and pressure. For me personally it was my first semi-final or knockout match but the messages were beneficial in the week in terms of going back to what we’re good at and sticking to our processes. Ireland men’s team like to move the ball around and that is just the same for Ireland U20s, they are well drilled and like to find space but we had enough to get the better of them.
Preparing for the final, we had a relaxed first training day, walking through our new plays to make sure we got our knowledge up to speed. The second day we ran the plays at pace, had a couple of high intensity sessions but there was no need to hype up the situation because everyone knew what we were walking into in terms of the task at hand against France.
Our analyst Tom Mitchell and team manager Eliza Ullersperger got all of our families to send in good luck messages which was emotional for everyone. It was really nice for the England senior players like Dan Cole and Marcus Smith to add in their own words as well, so it was nice to know we had great support back home.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 21, 2024-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 21, 2024-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
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Sleightholme shows he has pace to burn
OLLIE Sleightholme recently clocked his fastest sprint time and is racing to cement his spot as an England starter.
McGoverne says playing for Chiefs is her priority
EXETER fly-half Olivia McGoverne has opted for club over country which will rule her out of contention for New Zealand’s World Cup bid in 2025.
Trinity aim to get the culture right
HIGH-FLYING Trinity have made a remarkable turnaround this season after narrowly avoiding relegation last term, heading into this weekend unbeaten and are now eyeing up promotion from Level 7.
YOUNG GUNS
Louie Gulley experienced the environment of England U20s’ World Championship triumph up close this summerand now has a burning desire to become an age-grade star. The 19-year-old Exeter Chiefs hooker was part of Mark Mapletoft’s squad but didn’t manage to make an appearance during the tournament.
The Cherry & Whites lay down marker over Lucs
CAMBORNE maintained their lead at the top of the table with a bonus-point win against their nearest challengers in a pulsating game.
A brace from Botterill is key to victory for Esher
A highly entertaining and enthralling contest between two sides fighting at the foot of the table was eventually won by Esher after the lead had changed no less than seven times throughout an absorbing afternoon.
Chiefs in hunt for new investment
TONY Rowe has confirmed the search for new investors into Exeter Chiefs has begun as he looks to safeguard the longterm future of the Premiership club.
McParland keen to shine for England A
NORTHAMPTON scrum-half Archie McParland feels he has returned a better player following a nasty injury that denied him a World Cup winners medal and is now ready to fly into a new opportunity with England A.
Undercard get chance to show their A-game
ENGLAND’S A team today get their first major work-out after being resurrected earlier this year when Australia’s undercard provide the opposition at The Stoop.
England look like a clueless rabble
I WATCHED with a growing sense of bewilderment as England yet again took to the field against Australia looking to all intents and purpose as if they had just been introduced to each other on the coach into Twickenham.
