The Junior Wallabies will field a full-strength side for their U20 world championship final against France tomorrow morning, with key backs Will Harrison and Triston Reilly recovering from concussions to take their place in the starting XV.
Harrison and Reilly missed Australia's semi-final win against Argentina but both men have been passed fit to take their place in the final.
Backrower Pat Tafa is also available after serving a one-match suspension for a high tackle, having sat out the semi-final.
Replacement five-eighth Ben Donaldson was outstanding in the semi-final, winning players' player honours for a personal haul of 19 points that helped the Junior Wallabies to a 34-14 win over Argentina.
But Harrison will slot in at no.10 for the final, having led Australia's successful Oceania campaign to earn starting honours.
Junior Wallabies Head Coach Jason Gilmore said his players were excited to take on defending champions France.
"They won it last year, they're defending champions and they'll want to hold on to the trophy," Gilmore said.
"South Africa are a very good outfit, they've prepared really well this year and a 20-7 victory in pretty trying conditions was a pretty good result for France, so it'll be a good game.
U20s Final Preview: It's the defending champions @FFRugby against this year's form team Australia. They've met six times previously at this level with both sides having won 3 each.
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) June 21, 2019
Who will take it this time and claim the #WorldRugbyU20s Championship title in 2019? pic.twitter.com/1kE8SibpTZ
Our Junior Wallabies have received some heartfelt support from our Patron, the Governor General ahead of their final against France tomorrow morning.
— Qantas Wallabies (@qantaswallabies) June 22, 2019
Thank you Sir Peter#JuniorWallabies #Goldblooded pic.twitter.com/6hkYrVCwPx
"We're happy with the backline but to win World Cups, you need your forward pack strong and it'll be another battle against France there.
"They're a big side and they've got a couple of boys back from last year, so our forward pack have to aim up to let our backs do their thing."
After a successful Oceania championship campaign, in which they held New Zealand scoreless in the final, and outstanding form through the early rounds in Argentina, Gilmore said his team took great confidence into the decider.
"I think the boys have just got a lot of belief in what we're doing at the moment and in themselves," Gilmore said.
Four outstanding players have been nominated for the World Rugby U20 Championship Breakthrough Player of the Tournament in association with Tudor. Have your say by voting below! #WorldRugbyU20s
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) June 21, 2019
Voting ends on Saturday, 22nd of June at 16.15pm (GMT -3)
"There's a little bit of relief (at making the final) but we got together in January and one of our goals was to win this thing.
"We've achieved what we wanted to do and that was to play in a final. But now we've got to aim up for another 80 minutes and win it.
“It’s not every day you get to play in a World Cup final. The team is ready to go and will represent themselves, their families and all the supporters back home with everything they have."
The Junior Wallabies take on France in the final of the U20 world championship in Rosario, Argentina, on Sunday, June 23, kicking off at 4:20am AEST, broadcast live on Fox Sports and Kayo.
U20s Next Generation of Star | Two exceptional talents and two stars for the future. Australia’s Isaac Lucas and South Africa’s Jaden Hendrikse are destined for great things #WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/JtbXkJCrCC
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) June 21, 2019
TEAMS
Australia to face France:
1. Angus Bell, Sydney University
2. Lachlan Lonergan, Tuggeranong Vikings
3. Josh Nasser, University of Queensland
4. Michael Wood, Brothers
5. Trevor Hosea, Harlequins Rugby Club
6. Harry Wilson, Brothers
7. Fraser McReight (C), Brothers
8. Will Harris, Eastern Suburbs
9. Michael McDonald, Palmyra
10. Will Harrison, Randwick
11. Mark Nawaqanitawase, Eastwood
12. Noah Lolesio, Tuggeranong Vikings
13. Semisi Tupou, Box Hill
14. Triston Reilly, AU7s/Randwick
15. Isaac Lucas, Sunnybank
Reserves:
16. Joe Cotton, West Bulldogs
17. Bo Abra, Eastern Suburbs
18. Darcy Breen, Sydney University
19. Rhys Van Nek, Easts
20. Esei Ha’angana, Melbourne Unicorns
21. Nick Frost, Queanbeyan Whites
22. Carlo Tizzano, University of Western Australia
23. Patrick Tafa, Northern Suburbs
24. Henry Robertson, Sydney University
25. Ben Donaldson, Randwick
26. Kye Oates, University of Queensland
27. Joey Walton, Gordon
28. Sione Tui, Melbourne Unicorns
France to face Australia:
1 Jean-Baptiste Gros
2 Theo Lachaud
3 Alex Burin
4 Killian Geraci
5 Florent Vanverberghe
6 Matthias Haddad
7 Thibault Hamonou
8 Jordan Joseph
9 Leo Coly
10 Louis Carbonel
11 Donovan Taofifenua
12 Julien Delbouis
13 Arthur Vincent (C)
14 Vincent Pinto
15 Matthis Lebel
Reserves:
16 Rayne Barka
17 Eli Eglaine
18 Giorgi Beria
19 Paul Mallez
20 Gauthier Maravat
21 Mathieu Hirigoyen
22 Loic Hocquet
23 Quentin Delord
24 Mathieu Smaili
25 Antoine Zeghdar
26 Ethan Dumortier
27 Alexandre De Nardi
