England v Ireland: Six players to watch in World Rugby U20 final
Saturday 25 June 2016 19:21, UK
I am a big fan of the World Rugby U20 Championship as it continually throws up the stars of tomorrow, and this year has been no different.
Hopefully there will be a big crowd at the AJ Bell Stadium on Saturday evening because I am expecting England and Ireland to serve up a cracking contest.
England have been transformed under Martin Haag since finishing second-bottom in this year's Six Nations. He has come in and added his experience and nous.
But not only have England changed their coach, they have brought in some key players. Harry Mallinder, Johnny Williams, Joe Marchant and Will Evans all have Premiership experience.
Mallinder will be crucial at 10 after Theo Brophy-Clews was ruled out injured. I think 12 is his best position but he has been standing in at fly-half and is enjoying it because he is getting his hands on the ball, and his kicking is quite sublime.
I saw Ireland beat England in Kingston Park during the Six Nations. It was a game they had no right to win but Nigel Carolan, Peter Malone and Conor Twomey have done a brilliant job. They stick to their structures, have leaders all over the field and have a lovely smattering of individual brilliance.
Even when they were down against Wales in the opening game they did not panic, and they have built on that with stunning victories over New Zealand and Argentina.
There are so many players I could pick out but I've been told three is my maximum! Therefore I'm going to overlook the likes of James Ryan, who is a Paul O'Connell in waiting, and England's Premiership players, and instead focus on some of the other key players in both camps.
Who triumphs on Saturday is really a flick of a coin but the below players are all potential match-winners.
Jack Singleton
With Jack Walker out injured, Singleton has come in and he loves scoring tries. I remember him scoring four against Italy last year.
His arrows went a bit awry in his first couple of games but he seems to have fixed that. He is a lively lad who loves being out wide in space, doing all the stuff that backs do.
Singleton scrummages hard and has won five turnovers in the tournament. His work at the breakdown allows the back-rowers to roam around the pitch a little bit more.
Matt Gallagher
Matt is the son of John Gallagher, who won the World Cup with New Zealand in 1987. Come Saturday night there could be two World Cup winners in the one household!
Gallagher has taken his opportunity since coming in for the injured George Perkins. He is a big, strong lad, very quick and likes to come off his wing looking for work. I've been very impressed with him.
England's big buzzword is transition, they try to move the ball as quickly as they can from defence to attack. Rory Teague has done great things with the backs and it is working.
Gallagher is benefiting from England's ability to get the ball to the wings through this transition.
Max Malins
Malins often steps in at 10 during games, allowing Mallinder to move back to 12. He loves to have the ball in his hands, kicks well, is strong defensively and runs some great lines. Quite simply, he is crucial for England.
The other buzzword from this tournament has been pathway, where players use this tournament to progress to senior level. It is well documented the number of players currently in Australia when came through the U20 ranks, and Malins is another player on that path.
Andrew Porter
Porter is a fine scrummager and an excellent ball-carrier. He reminds of Cian Healy when I see him with ball in hand, and he looks as though he'll be as big as Cian.
He loves to carry and is a great guy to watch. He also has high fitness levels and looks capable of going 80 minutes if needed.
Max Deegan
Just watch his try against Argentina to see what the No 8 is all about. He intercepted the ball on his own 22 and ran the length of the pitch to score, outpacing the Pumas fly-half.
Deegan is not the biggest No 8 but is extremely hard-working and a very good athlete. He is similar to Jamie Heaslip - a quick, well-educated back-row forward and is crucial to Ireland's chances.
Ireland play a structured game and Deegan's ball-carrying is crucial. Everyone is on the same hymnsheet and they are a great team to watch.
Jacob Stockdale
The Ulsterman scored a wonderful try against Argentina, stepping inside their 15 score. He is a classic, running full-back who loves to hit the line and can handle himself physically.
Both teams like to run the ball but Stockdale also possesses a fine kicking game and always seems to take the right option.
His stats in this tournament are outstanding - four tries in as many tries and 13 defenders beaten. He is a player England must watch closely.
Watch England U20 v Ireland U20 live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Saturday from 6.30pm. Catch the match for £6.99 with a NOW TV day pass.
