The French Under-20 XV, with its three titles in a row, is approaching the World Cup in the category as a favorite, which will take place until July 19 in South Africa. The Bleuets launch their competition against Spain this Saturday (2 p.m.).
Crowned in 2018, 2019 and 2023, the Bleuets arrive in Cape Town (South Africa) armed with players accustomed to the Top 14 and Pro D2.
Examples: La Rochelle fly-half Hugo Reus, Brive scrum-half Léo Carbonneau, Racing 92 pillar Lino Julien, La Rochelle winger Nathan Bollenger or Toulouse flanker Mathis Castro-Ferreira…
To succeed the 2018 (Ntamack, Bamba, Vincent…), 2019 (Carbonel, Joseph, Coly, Lebel…) and 2023 (Depoortere, Attissogbé, Jauneau, Tuilagi…) world champions, Sébastien Calvet’s men will have to succeed in getting rid of the target they have on their backs.
They were drawn into Pool A, along with newcomers Spain, Wales and New Zealand.
Finalists in 2023, the Irish will face Australia, Italy and Georgia.
Beaten in the semi-finals, the young English and South Africans will find themselves in Group C with Argentina and Fiji.
The XV of France U20
Starting XV: Despair ; Ferté, Brau-Boirie, Belaubre, Bosmorin; (o) Reus (cap.), (m) Carbonneau; Malaterre, Liufau, Quere Karaba ; Kante Samba, Corso ; Aouad, Massa, Julien.
Substitutes: Lacombre, Boyer Gallardo, Duchêne, Tolofua, Caumel, Souverbie, Bollengier, Mosques.
