World Rugby U20s XV of the tournament

This year’s World Rugby U20 Championship is now over, with New Zealand having picked up their fifth trophy after a tense 21-16 victory over England in the final.

The skill levels continue to rise at the tournament, not to mention the physical readiness for senior rugby, and we have compiled our most impressive XV from the tournament, many of whom could become household names sooner rather than later.

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1. Ellis Genge, England and Bristol Rugby

The number of players who have bested vaunted South African prop Thomas du Toit at this level is short. The list starts with Paul Hill during last year’s final and concludes with Genge in this year’s semi-final.

Genge’s ability as a carrier is well-documented, but the proficiency he brings at scrum time is bordering on startling, as it was not that long ago he was a barnstorming number eight, only recently moving to the front row.

2. Sam James, Scotland and Bedford Blues

A lot of Scottish eyes were on tighthead Zander Fagerson at the Championship, with the young prop touted by many as Scotland’s scrummaging salvation, but it was James who stole the show in the front row.

The hooker scrummaged well and contributed significantly in the loose, but most importantly, he showed his accuracy at the lineout.

Vern Cotter will undoubtedly watch James with interest at Bedford this season, as will Glasgow and Edinburgh. Japan’s Kosuke Horikoshi is due an honourable mention.

3. Paul Hill, England and Yorkshire Carnegie

Hill was unquestionably the benchmark for tightheads at last year’s tournament, and although du Toit’s conversion from a loosehead to a tighthead raised some questions over whether or not that would be the case this year, Hill soon put them to bed.

The Northampton Saints-bound prop was the anchor of a very impressive English scrum and it won’t be too long before we see him step up to the Saxons squad.

4. Tristan Labouteley, France and Montpellier

Labouteley’s path to senior rugby remains in flux thanks to the South African influx at Montpellier, but the lock had a fine Championship and is reminiscent in many ways of his age-grade coach, Fabien Pelous.

Labouteley added weight to the French scrum, provided a physical force in the loose and displayed an unquestionable work rate.

5. Charlie Ewels, England and Bath

The England captain had a fine tournament and fends off competition from Wales’ Rory Thornton and the South African duo of RG Snyman and Jason Jenkins.

Ewels may not be quite as dynamic as the man whose shoes he is filling in the England side, Maro Itoje, but he is a powerful and clever lock who has no obvious weaknesses to his game.

With Stuart Hooper turning 34 years of age next season, expect Ewels to take on an increased role in Bath’s engine room.

6. Akira Ioane, New Zealand and Blues

Ioane was, quite simply, the difference between New Zealand winning the Championship and possibly finishing second, third or fourth.

He was uncontainable for the vast majority of the tournament and even England, who shut him down fairly effectively in the final, still conceded what proved to be a match-winning try to him.

The Kiwi is already a starter at Super Rugby level and may well have his eye on a post-RWC spot with the All Blacks next season.

7. Lewis Ludlam, England and Northampton Saints

Ludlam switches from blindside to openside for the purposes of this XV, but given his extraordinary ability at the breakdown, that could be a natural move for him in the future.

Having suffered a broken leg in January, the flanker did amazingly well just to make this tournament, let alone star in it, and it looks like England may have found a genuine fetcher, something which is missing from the current England back row, as well as the recent Junior World Championship-winning sides.

8. Hanro Liebenberg, South Africa and Bulls

Liebenberg’s yellow card against England certainly didn’t help his side in their semi-final, but prior to that, he hadn’t put a foot wrong all tournament.

As with several of the New Zealand players, Liebenberg has a number of Super Rugby appearances under his belt and it was clear that he was physically on another level to many of his opposite numbers. A versatile back rower, Liebenberg should push for more playing time at the Bulls next season.

9. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, New Zealand and Taranaki

Already being compared to Aaron Smith, Tahuriorangi has a lot to live up to, but the balanced scrum-half was one of the more classy performers at the tournament, despite not receiving the widespread praise some of his teammates enjoyed.

Injury curtailed Stuart Townsend’s promising tournament whilst France’s Anthony Meric also impressed, but it was the Baby Black who caught the eye most over the last few weeks.

10. Otere Black, New Zealand and Hurricanes

Were it not for the most marvellous of kicks for touch from Black in the final, this spot could have been Rory Jennings’. Both fly-halves were excellent throughout the tournament, but it was Black’s game management which won his side the final, and thus why he narrowly edges out Jennings here.

Hopefully Black’s development won’t be stifled by playing second fiddle to Beauden Barrett at the Hurricanes, as he already looks like the complete package at fly-half.

11. Tevita Li, New Zealand and Blues

England kept Li quiet in the final, but the powerful winger proved to be too much of a handful for every other side he faced, bulldozing opposition wingers as if they weren’t even there.

Like Ioane, Li has a number of appearances for the Blues already and showed with abundance the added physicality that is required to thrive at senior level.

Li currently holds the Championship’s overall try scoring record with 11.

12. TJ Faiane, New Zealand and Auckland

Unfortunately, an injury ended Faiane’s final experience prematurely, but the inside centre was really the story of the New Zealand back line during the competition, despite much of the praise being directed at Super Rugby hotshots Black and Li.

Faiane’s sparkling footwork was usually good for a defender beaten on each carry and often helped create the space in which Li then thrived.

The Blues may be in a bit of a mess right now, but the talent Auckland continues to produce is astonishing.

13. Garry Ringrose, Ireland and Leinster

No position was as hotly contested as outside centre, with Wales’ Owen Watkins, France’s Damian Penaud and England’s Nick Tompkins all having valid claims on the spot.

That said, Ringrose was often at the heart of Ireland’s best attacking moments during the tournament, creating space and beating defenders with his arcing runs and deft touches.

Claims last summer that he could fill Brian O’Driscoll’s Ireland jersey long-term were premature, now they’re valid.

14. Andrew Kellaway, Australia and Waratahs

A natural finisher with an eye for the try line, Kellaway broke Championship try scoring records this year and although Li would go on to break them just a few days later, it’s testament to the talent the Australian has.

The Australian pack were bullied by South Africa and Wales in their pivotal matches this year, but the back line still impressed and much of that was due to the work of Kellaway.

Honourable mentions should go to Italy’s Yannick Agbasse and Scotland’s Robbie Nairn in teams which were struggling overall.

15. Jonah Placid, Australia and Rebels

It’s a similar story for Placid as it was for Kellaway. With the Australian pack struggling against better opposition, many of Placid’s better moments came off the back foot or when he was counter-attacking from within his own half.

The full-back has all the skills required to be a big part of the Rebels’ future and his performances in the Championship this year certainly won’t have hurt his aspirations for 2016.