by England finished their Under-20 Six Nations with a second thriller in as many weeks, storming back 21-5 down to beat a free-flowing – and, frankly, huge – French team 45-31 on Friday night in Pau . After a 32-32 draw with Ireland, who had completed the Grand Slam for the past two years, England won their first title since 2021 with one more bonus point win.
Mark Mapletoft’s side will travel to South Africa in the summer for the Under-20 World Cup, where they will be in a group with the hosts as well as Argentina and Fiji. As shown in recent weeks, they have some exciting talent in their ranks. Here are five stars of the Six Nations victory.
Archie McParland, half-back, Northampton Saints
As a former halfback, McParland changed his position before the lockout and looks very confident. He zips between the rucks and the shells in a similar way to Alex Mitchell, his senior teammate at Northampton. In a sign of his stature in the East Midlands, McParland made his senior debut for the club at the age of 17, against London Irish in the Premier League Cup, and has come off the bench twice this season.
At 6-feet tall, he admitted it was a difficult transition to the offensive and service ruck instead of starting at receiver. However, his kicking will have caught the eye of the senior coaches during the Six Nations, and a try in the 28-7 win over Wales showed emotional power. Perhaps most impressive was his ability to tease edge defenders from the breakdown before putting runners through holes. More time with Mitchell will only enhance that trait. Having turned 19 in February, McParland also has another year at this level.
Sean Kerr, inside centre, Harlequins
Many of Mapletoft’s backs have big futures, with the versatile Ben Redshaw of Newcastle Falcons, who featured at full-back, outside center and on the wing during the Six Nations, particularly adept offloading. George Makepeace-Cubitt was selected for Rams in National One, which supports that competition and his performances, while Ioan Jones scored a superb try from a doom-or-glory interception against France.
The age group identity within centers is an interesting one and Kerr started four Six Nations games in that role. He was generally excellent from the start and finished the tournament with 40 points, including a try in Edinburgh when he slipped past two Scotland defenders in the corner.
Born in Johannesburg, Kerr was a well-rounded and well-rounded forward who started playing the sport aged five at Effingham & Leatherhead RFC before joining Sutton & Epsom and then the Harlequins Academy. The million dollar question now, especially after the World Championship this summer, is where he picks the senior games. Back in October, the outside center featured for Harlequins against Nottingham in the Premier League and Kerr was subsequently loaned out for a National One spell with Richmond. Andre Esterhuizen’s departure from Harlequins will bring more opportunities, but Lennox Anyanwu has already had his name checked by Steve Borthwick. At 19, Kerr has plenty of time and plenty of promise.
Asher Opoku-Fordjour, prop, Sale Sharks
Alex Sanderson’s verdict on Opoku-Fordjour earlier this season was “rare as teddy bear s—” as the Sale Sharks director of rugby described a “fantastic” introduction to the first-team ranks. Sanderson also revealed that England see Opoku-Fordjour as a loose prop, rather than a tight one, the position in which he impressed elite operators such as Joe Marler, Andrew Porter and Cian Healy. Indeed, Tarek Haffar, the Northampton Saints loosehead who represented England A against Portugal, is one of the few foes to trouble him in the Premier League or the Champions Cup, which bodes well for Steve Borthwick’s succession plans in the front row.
However, Opoku-Fordjour picked up where he left off when five of the Six Nations began wearing the No. He confirmed his superb ability as a scrumgagger – it was no shame that England were occasionally scrambling in France against a huge pack bolstered by Posolo Tuilagi – and also enjoyed some eye-catching touches in the loose. Opoku-Fordjour doesn’t turn 20 until July and will aim to develop his jackalling and passing as well as his set piece nuts and bolts. Like anything else, if he continues to scrummage on both ends, he will be an invaluable asset.
Finn Carnduff, green/blind crates, Leicester Tigers
At Leicester Tigers, where they know a thing or two about back fives, a senior source regards Carnduff as a “Rolls Royce of players”. That was accurate during these Championships and it was said that the captain started four games at the box. Throughout, he looked mobile, tough and skillful. He took 42 lineouts and completed 41 tackles – more than any English team in both metrics – and scored three tries. His break, and composed pass, set up Henry Pollock at a crucial point in the victory in Pau. Carnduff will now compete for additional senior games at Tigers.
At the end of January, for the last quarter of a tense win over Harlequins, he came off the bench and was strong and reliable. At 6ft 4in, he is likely to remain in the back row rather than return to lock and will certainly increase from his current weight of 105kg either way. That delicate process should not be rushed, as Leicester will know, because Carnduff is a world runner. Junior Kpoku, Olamide Sodeke and Joe Bailey delivered strong performances from the second row, and a strong weapon at the driving ball. Will Kpoku be brought back to the Premiership from Racing 92? Stay tuned for that situation.
Henry Pollock, open crates, Northampton Saints
The hype train has left the station. Good luck calling him back. Pollock noted the excitement that followed his efforts for England Under-18s and in the Championship for Bedford Blues. At Under-20 level a year earlier, the opening winger was awarded three man of the match awards in five outings. He started with a hat-trick in Italy, the second in a brilliant solo effort from a blunt tail. Despite the odd moment of trouble – Pollock took a quick penalty against Great Britain and was sent off after isolating himself – he has usually channeled his determination to become the team’s talisman.
A total of 56 carriers for the Six Nations was a testament to his endurance as he was well marked but did not obstruct the heavy traffic. Pollock’s reward for that industry was another effort in France, which highlighted his pace and supporting play. Richard Hill, a mentor to prospective England full-backs, has been in touch with Pollock and will note that the teenager completed 39 tackles, second only to Carnduff among his peers, as well as breaking into 33 defenses over five appearance. Northampton fans will want to see more of Pollock in the first team now, with more chances coming next season following the departure of Lewis Ludlam.
Nathan Michelow, a Saracens academy graduate, moved around the back row to start at blindside flank and at No.8 in the Six Nations. When it was time to roll up his sleeves in Pau, he was really great.
