France beats England 33-25 to win 1st U20 world rugby crown

By Associated Press 17 June 2018, 12:00AM

BEZIERS, France (AP) — A near-perfect goalkicking effort by Louis Carbonel led France to its first world under-20 rugby championship in beating England 33-25 in the final on Sunday.

France, playing its first final, dominated the scrums and breakdowns, forcing frequent errors from the English. The ill-discipline cost England, which scored three tries to two.

Carbonel landed eight of his nine goalkicks, including seven penalties in the same Beziers stadium where France lost to England 22-6 in March in the under-20 Six Nations.

France wing Maxime Marty stepped two defenders and brilliantly offloaded to put in flanker Cameron Woki for the opening try.

England counterpart Jordan Olowofela scored the first of his two tries on halftime, into which France led 14-8.

Carbonel kicked France further ahead 26-11, including one penalty from 50 meters.

England replacement prop Joe Heyes scored a converted try to cut the deficit to eight points with eight minutes to go, but moments later Carbonel snuffed out England hopes of a fourth title when his grubber kick was scooped by replacement midfielder Adrien Seguret for the clinching score.

South Africa beat last year's champion, New Zealand, 40-30 for third.

By Associated Press 17 June 2018, 12:00AM
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