Leo Drouet was among the try scorers as France beat Ireland to win the World Rugby Under-20 Championship crown in South Africa ©Getty Images

France pulled off a stunning second-half showing to put Ireland to the sword in the final of the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Cape Town.

Five of France’s seven tries came in the final 40 minutes as they thrashed their Irish opponents 50-14 at the Athlone Sports Stadium.

Ireland led 7-0 and 14-10 courtesy of scores from Fintan Gunne and John Devine, with Sam Prendergast adding the extras in the opening period.

But Ireland, who trailed 17-14 at the break, succumbed to a second-half blitz from France, conceding 40 unanswered points.

Mathis Ferte struck twice, with his first coming in the first half which also featured a try from Marko Gazzotti.

The other scores came from Pierre Jouvin, Nicolas Depoortere, Lenni Nouchi and Leo Drouet as fly-half Huge Reus notched six conversions and a penalty in the rout.

It was France’s third successive world under-20 title having succeeded in 2018 and 2019.

Hosts South Africa sealed third spot with a 22-17 win over England at the Athlone Sports Stadium.

All the points came in the first half as Corne Beets, Juann Else and Hendrik Sieberhagen crossed the whitewash for the home team, with Jean Smith scoring two conversions and a penalty.

England's points came courtesy of tries from Craig Wright and Zach Carr as well as a conversion and a penalty from the boot of Connor Slevin.