France matched a record and settled a score as they crushed Ireland 50-14 on Friday to win the World Rugby under-20 Championship at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town.
The French became only the second team after New Zealand to win the tournament three consecutive times, and they avenged a Six Nations under-20 Championship loss in Ireland this year.
Losing in Cork cost France the European title, but they are now world champions after outscoring brave but outclassed Ireland by seven tries to two.
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— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 14, 2023
"It was an incredible performance and it will take some time to realise that we are world champions again," France captain and flanker Lenni Nouchi told AFP.
Ireland skipper and hooker Gus McCarthy admitted that his side "struggled in the line-outs, but I am proud of the boys. All credit to a great French team."
Ireland led twice in the opening half before France took a 17-14 halftime advantage through a try from prop Lino Julien.
The Irish suffered what proved a huge blow just before the break when prop Paddy McCarthy was yellow-carded.
France took advantage of the numerical advantage to score early second-half tries from hooker Pierre Jouvin and centre Nicolas Depoortere with fly-half Hugo Reus converting both.
The defending champions had a 31-14 lead and there was no way back for Ireland, who developed several multi-phase attacks only for France to execute turnovers.
France were masters at turning defence into attack and as Ireland faded in the closing stages, the champions scored three more tries.
Fullback Mathis Ferte (two), Julien, Jouvin, Depoortere, Nouchi and winger Leo Drouet scored tries for France and Reus kicked six conversions and a penalty from nine shots at goal.
Scrumhalf Fintan Gunne and centre John Devine were the try scorers for Ireland and flyhalf Sam Prendergast converted both.
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— Junior Springboks (@JuniorBoks) July 14, 2023
Congratulations to France for winning the 2023 #WorldRugbyU20s in South Africa. pic.twitter.com/5XoYPNz4Zb