Head coach Mark Mapletoft has named his team to face Ireland in the World Rugby U20 Championship semi-final.

After topping Pool C with three wins from three, the team travel to the DHL Stadium to take on their Six Nations opponents on Sunday 14 July (15:30 BST kick-off). The game will be available to watch live on RugbyPass TV.

Finn Carnduff takes the captaincy role for the ninth time this season, with Afolabi Fasogbon slotting into the tighthead role in the only change from the pack that played in the 12-17 victory over South Africa.

Fasogbon’s Gloucester clubmate Ioan Jones will start at full back as the only other change to the starting XV, with Ben Redshaw switching to the right wing.  

Replacement James Isaacs came off the bench to score the winner against South Africa and is joined by Cam Miell on the replacements bench. 2024 Under-20 Six Nations winners Josh Bellamy and Toby Cousins are also among the replacements.

The previous two meetings between England and Ireland resulted in a 34-34 and a 32-32 draw. Ireland progressed to the final four after wins against Italy (55-15) and Georgia (22-16), with their final Pool B game against Australia cancelled.

Mapletoft on selection

"We're extremely proud of the performances and consequent results from our pool stage matches. The calibre of opposition was at such a high standard and to raise the performance levels on the last day in such trying conditions showed our unity as a team.

"Our bond as a group has only strengthened and we've often found a way through the challenges thrown at us - it fills myself and the staff with immense pride and we know that is required again come this Sunday.  

"We've had fantastic Tests against Ireland over the last twelve months with nothing to separate the teams on the last two occasions. We know that will have to change this time around, but I have every confidence our boys will fight for the player next to them and reassert that Brotherhood in the toughest moments."

Team to play Ireland

Starting

15. Ioan Jones

14. Ben Redshaw

13. Ben Waghorn

12. Sean Kerr

11. Alex Wills

10. Ben Coen

9. Ollie Allan

1. Asher Opoku-Fordjour

2. Craig Wright

3. Afolabi Fasogbon

4. Joe Bailey

5. Junior Kpoku

6. Finn Carnduff (c)

7. Henry Pollock

8. Nathan Michelow

Replacements

16. James Isaacs

17. Cameron Miell

18. James Halliwell

19. Olamide Sodeke

20. Kane James

21. Lucas Friday

22. Josh Bellamy

23. Toby Cousins

England's 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship fixtures and results

England 40-21 Argentina

England 48-11 Fiji

South Africa 12-17 England  

Matchday 4 (14 July, semi-final)  - England v Ireland – DHL Stadium – (15:30 BST kick-off)

Matchday 5 (final and ranking matches, Friday 19 July)