Hello and welcome to our live coverage of this evening’s U20 World Championship final, with Richie Murphy’s Ireland taking on France at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town.

Ireland have overcome real adversity to book their place in this decider, and now a talented, powerful France team stand as the final hurdle in South Africa.

Kick-off is at 6pm Irish time, and we’ll bring you all the action as it happens.

There’s lots of great reading to get stuck into on The 42 ahead of the game, including Murray Kinsella’s big match preview, which you can find here.

These Ireland players have been through some tough things. They’ve shared joy too. We’ve all seen their smiles upon winning match after match. They haven’t lost as a team and don’t plan on starting today. 

U20s rugby is so fun to watch because there is still a hint of naivety about it, a sense that players haven’t yet had the sheer joy of playing squeezed out of them in any way. It means mistakes, sure, but it’s infectious to see that joie de vivre on the pitch.

We’ve also taken a close look at France, who have delivered some exceptional performances in South Africa. You can read our lowdown on Ireland’s opponents here.

Posolo Tuilagi has rightly been grabbing headlines recently, and the 145kg lock is an absolute powerhouse in the heart of a big French pack. While he’s still only 18, Tuilagi has had plenty of exposure to top level rugby this year, featuring 16 times for Perpignan across the Top 14 and Challenge Cup. 

Here’s a reminder of how Ireland line-up. The only change from Sunday’s semi-final defeat of South Africa sees James McNabney come into the back row alongside Ruadhan Quinn and Brian Gleeson, while Diarmuid Mangan switches to second row. 

Ireland 

• 15. Henry McErlean (Terenure/Leinster)
• 14. Andrew Osborne (Naas/Leinster)
• 13. Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
• 12. John Devine (Corinthians/Connacht)
• 11. James Nicholson (UCD/Leinster)
• 10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)
• 9. Fintan Gunne (Terenure College RFC/Leinster)

• 1. Paddy McCarthy (Dublin University FC/Leinster)
• 2. Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster)(captain)
• 3. Ronan Foxe (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
• 4. Diarmuid Mangan (UCD/Leinster)
• 5. Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster)
• 6. James McNabney (Ballymena RFC/Ulster)
• 7. Ruadhan Quinn (Old Crescent RFC/Munster)
• 8. Brian Gleeson (Garryowen/Munster)

Replacements:

• 16. Max Clein (Garryowen/Munster)
• 17. George Hadden (Clontarf/Leinster)
• 18. Fiachna Barrett (Corinthians/Connacht)
• 19. Charlie Irvine (Queen’s University/Ulster)
• 20. Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemians/Munster)
• 21. Oscar Cawley (Naas/Leinster)
• 22. Matthew Lynch (Dublin University/Leinster)
• 23. Sam Berman (Dublin University/Leinster).

Just five minutes until kick-off now, with the teams making their way onto the pitch in Cape Town. There’s one late change for France, with Lino Julien replacing Louis Penverne at loosehead.

KICK-OFF

We’re underway at the Athlone Stadium. Fair to say the pitch isn’t looking in the best condition, with this the third game of the day to take place at the ground.

TRY – Ireland 7 (Gunne) France 0

4mins: Ireland 7 France 0

Wow, what a start from Ireland! Richie Murphy’s side move the ball nicely through the hands before winning a penalty after a high tackle. As The Irish Rover belts out of the stadium PA system, Sam Prendergast turns down a shot at the posts and opts for the lineout. Ireland go through the phases, win another penalty, Fintan Gunne takes it quickly and squeezes over. Prendergast converts and Ireland are off to a flying start in this final.

9mins: Ireland 7 France 0

France threaten for the first time, but Ireland survive. After a lineout in the Ireland 22, France’s execution is a little sloppy and they can’t find a way through. They eventually get pinged for crossing and Ireland can exit. First scrum of the day incoming…

12mins: Ireland 7 France 0

France enjoy a good period of possession, with Andrew Osborne slicing his clearance off the back of an Ireland scrum. Initially Ireland’s defence holds up well but France keep coming in waves as they bash their way towards the line. France think they’re over for a try but some great work from Prendergast sees the French player held up. Brian Gleeson then follows up with a huge turnover in the middle of the pack – big defensive moments from Ireland!

TRY: Ireland 7 France 7 (Ferté)

15mins: Ireland 7 France 7

France are over, and it’s a wonderful team try with Drouet and Ferté combining well down the wing before the latter races over, with Rues tapping over the conversion. France really looking dangerous when they get their running game going.

𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐍 𝐆𝐔𝐍𝐍𝐄! ☘️

That is brilliant by the Ireland scrum half!

What a start!

🟢 7-0 🇫🇷 #WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/9vR4IeihLz

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) July 14, 2023

𝐖𝐨𝐰. 🤯

France show Ireland exactly what they can do...

☘️ 7-7 🇫🇷 #WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/sbg7WjMgYj

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) July 14, 2023

PENALTY: Ireland 7 France 10 (Reus)

23mins: Ireland 7 France 10

France move into the lead, Hugo Reus splitting the posts after Ireland are caught for offside.

TRY: Ireland 14 (Devine) France 10

33mins: Ireland 14 France 10

Ireland having a few issues at the lineout, the latest coming from a great position in the France 22, but Gleeson does really well to keep the ball alive. Ireland hammer away at the line with penalty advantage and eventually get held up. They go for the tap-and-go, and after changing the point of attack John Devine comes on the ball at speed and dives over. Prendergast converts and Ireland move back into the lead.

TRY: Ireland 14 France 17 (Julien)

36mins: Ireland 14 France 17 (Julien)

And just like that, France hit back as loosehead Lino Julien – a late addition to the France team – crashes over from close range. Reus converts and France lead by three.

𝐉𝐎𝐇𝐍 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐄! 🟢

That's a huge try from the Ireland centre who has been brilliant in this tournament!

Prendergast with a great kick to add the two!

☘️ 14-7 🇫🇷 #WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/zz7WU0VLq5

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) July 14, 2023

40mins: Ireland 14 France 17

A yellow card for Ireland prop Paddy McCarthy, who is sent to the bin for pulling down the French maul just moments after Ireland had been warned about their discipline. Ireland then cross for a third time, with Oscar Jegou getting the finishing touch, but Ireland aren’t happy about it. After a quick TMO check the score is chalked off for obstruction.  

HALF-TIME

Ireland will be happy enough to get in for half time, you’d imagine, as Richie Murphy’s side were under real pressure at the end of the half. France look very dangerous with ball in hand but Ireland have had plenty of bright moments too, with Brian Gleeson having another big game. Tidying up their set-piece work will be a big focus for Ireland in second half, but they’re still right in this.

A big second half on the way in Cape Town!

The second half has just kicked off. Ireland still down a man after McCarthy’s yellow card late in the first half.

TRY: Ireland 14 France 24 (Jouvin)

42mins: Ireland 14 France 24 (Jouvin)

France win an early penalty and go to the corner. The lineout is clean, the French maul charges forward and crashes over the line, with hooker Pierre Jouvin the scorer. Rues adds the extras.

TRY: Ireland 14 France 31 (Depoortere)

46mins: Ireland 14 France 31 (Depoortere)

France are flying now. Posolo Tuilagi makes a nuisance of himself at the ruck and France break forward again, with centre Nicolas Depoortere going over for his fifth try of the tournament. Rues adds the conversion again. Ireland need to settle here before this game runs away from them – France have now scored 14 unanswered points while Ireland have had a player in the bin.

55mins: Ireland 14 France 31

It’s just not happening for Ireland at the moment unfortunately. They manage to put together a decent passage of play for the first time in this half, working their way into the France 22, but then Sam Berman gets pinged for going in at the side and the attack breaks down. It must be said, France’s defensive work has been excellent. Ireland are beginning to let their frustration boil over now, so will need to watch their discipline.

63mins: Ireland 14 France 31

France continue to put Ireland under real pressure but Berman comes up with a big turnover. France are making Ireland work so hard for everything, but Ireland do really well to work their way into the France 22, only for the attack to break down again. Richie Murphy’s side beginning to look tired out there now.

66mins: Ireland 14 France 31

Hugo Reus drags a penalty wide. Ireland really trying to make something happen but this French team are just working so hard for each other in defence. They’ve been seriously impressive since the half-time break.

TRY: Ireland 14 France 36 (Ferté)

70mins: Ireland 14 France 36

That should be that as France fullback Ferté gets over for his second try of the game, finishing a classy move in the corner. Rues pulls the conversion wide.

France have been outstanding in this second half, with their intensity and workrate exceptional. Ireland, to be fair, haven’t thrown in the towel, but it’s been very difficult for them out there.

𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧. 🔵

And the result now looks ominous. The French have been fantastic.

☘️ 14-36 🇫🇷 #WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/1XdW0eCor9

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) July 14, 2023

TRY: Ireland 14 France 43 (Nouchi)

76mins: Ireland 14 France 43

Frane go end-to-end, with big backrower Lenni Nouchi digging deep to run the score home from inside his own half. Reus converts from a tight angle. Clinical stuff.

TRY: Ireland 14 France 50 (Drouet)

80mins: Ireland 14 France 50

Another one from deep as Drouet gets his first try of the tournament, with Reus converting again.

FULLTIME

So that’s that, a tough night for Ireland but France were just sensational and are deserved World Cup winners.

Ireland will be bitterly disappointed but they’ve had an outstanding tournament, and a World Cup silver medal remains a superb achievement. Lots of this Ireland squad have bright futures ahead of themselves, and have done themselves proud over the course of this tournament. That said, tonight was all about a stunning France performance. We’ll be seeing plenty more of some of those French players in the coming years.

Thanks for joining our live coverage this evening, we’ll have a full match report and reaction from Cape Town on site shortly.