France U20 Rugby Squad Maintains Lineup for 2026 World Cup Final Against South Africa

France's U20 rugby team retains their semi-final lineup for the World Cup final against South Africa in Tbilisi, aiming for their fourth title under coach Cedric Laborde.

    Key details

  • • France U20 team plays South Africa in the 2026 World Cup final on July 16 in Tbilisi.
  • • Coach Cedric Laborde keeps the same starting lineup as the semi-final win over New Zealand.
  • • Key players Gabin Garault and Adrien Drault return to the starting fifteen.
  • • France aims for their fourth U20 Rugby World Cup title with this consistent lineup.

On July 16, 2026, the France Under-20 rugby team is set to face South Africa in the U20 Rugby World Cup final held in Tbilisi, Georgia. French coach Cedric Laborde has chosen to stick with the same starting lineup that secured a narrow 26-22 victory against New Zealand in the semi-final, emphasizing consistency and confidence in his squad.

Key players such as Gabin Garault, who impressively scored two tries in the semi-final, and Adrien Drault, who clinched the winning try, remain essential starters. The full starting roster includes Guillaud, Cellio-Zwiler, Drault, Rasal, Rates, Keletaona, Tilloles, captain Andjisseramatchi, Ibsaiene, Audebert, Bonnard-Martin, Veschambre, Langlois, Garault, and Frisach. The bench is composed of Masi, Jabea Njocke, Turpin, Michaux, Bissu, Hutteau, Jurd, and Avogadro.

The coaching staff is focused on securing France's fourth U20 World Cup title by maintaining the winning combination that has brought them this far. The final against South Africa represents a chance for the French team to affirm their dominance on the global stage in youth rugby.

This article was translated and synthesized from French sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.

Source comparison

Date of matches

Sources report different dates for the matches

franceinfo.fr

"The final matches are set for this weekend, with the third-place match on July 18."

sports.orange.fr

"On July 16, 2026, the France U20 rugby team will face South Africa in the World Cup final."

Why this matters: One source states that the third-place match is on July 18, while the other mentions July 16 as the date for a different final match. This discrepancy is significant as it confuses the timeline of events surrounding the World Cup.

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