England finished fourth in last year’s edition in Mapletoft’s first tournament in charge, with their last triumph coming in 2016 when they beat Ireland in the final 45-21.
Following a pool-stage draw with Ireland 34-34, England swept aside Fiji 53-7 and drew with Australia 2222 before coming unstuck in the semi-finals 52-31 against eventual winners France.
England ended their campaign with a 3rd-place loss to South Africa 22-15 but with a new group and a devastating set piece, there’s reasons for optimism that the Red Rose could be a force in South Africa.
Leicester Tigers versatile forward Finn Carnduff, who can operate in the second row and back row, became the first England U20s player in three years to lead his nation to Six Nations glory back in March.
Carnduff continues his captaincy this summer as the squad’s most experienced player with 15 competitive caps.
In the victorious Six Nations campaign that saw comprehensive wins over Italy, Wales and Scotland before a 32-32 draw with Ireland and then a thrilling 45-31 victory away in France to seal the title, 22 current squad members earned caps in the Championship and recently 18 of the squad made senior competitive appearances for their clubs in the 2023/24 season.
Denne historien er fra June 23, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra June 23, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Call to axe Sweeney 'as soon as possible'
BILL Sweeney’s tenure as RFU chief executive is in a precarious position after Bill Beaumont’s announcement as an interim RFU Board Chairman resulted in increased unrest among over 200 clubs calling for a Special General Meeting.
Ring fence has made English rugby go soft
THE most positive aspect to come out of the opening round of the European Cup was that, despite six out of the eight English clubs losing, it can get better and relatively quickly.
The global travellers who light up game
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Battling Bath looking to revive cup campaign
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Off-target Gloucester get lesson in finishing
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We're happy to be the hunted, says Beckett
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Heard takes charge to keep out Sarries
GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY secured a pulsating victory over Saracens to leapfrog the Londoners in the PWR table.
Hellfire Corner gives a warm welcome to all
RUGBY was undergoing a massive boom 150 years ago so we shouldn’t be surprised so many teams are celebrating their sesquicentennial anniversary as those who glory in long words like to call it.
My fierce Tigers are roaring-Howison
A RUTHLESS second-half display saw Sheffield Tigers come from behind to score 29 unanswered points and seal a vital bonus point win against bottom of the table Billingham.
Brave Lupus banking on Mo'unga class
THE fourth season of Japan Rugby League One kicks off this week, with the tournament opening with the clash between Mie Honda Heat and Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo on December 21.
