However, this encounter was a far closer one with France giving Rob Hunter's side a real scare as they took a deserved lead on 52 minutes and only Alex Gray's interception try, the last action of the game, allowed England to breathe easily.
Four tries from Christian Wade, George Ford, Ben Ransom and Gray earned the win with Ford also contributing three penalties and two conversions.
Gloucester's Ryan Mills and Dan Robson were both second half replacements as England fought to keep the French at bay and close out the win.
England got off to a flier as they quickly moved into French territory and Owen Farrell produced a delciately measured grubber behind the defensive line which stood up nicely for for Christian Wade to gather and score.
France's reply was immediate and decisive as Perpignan prop Sebastian Taofifenua, whose brother featured in the tournament last yeat, smashed his way over to score from close range. The conversion from Jean Pascal Barraque gave France the lead at 7-5.
The respective fly halves swapped penalties to make the score 8-10 to France but Ford missed an eminently kickable one, head on to the posts, as the first quarter drew to a close with the teams taking a drinks break in sweltering conditions.
Ransom almost made the corner but was tackled into touch but the go ahead score came just before half time as Ford benefitted from good build up work from the pack and jinked his way over.
The lead was quickly wiped out as Barraque slotted a penalty when England were caught offside and France then took the lead as wing Marvin O'Connor cut inside Ransom to score after neat work down the blind side. The conversion was missed, giving France a five-point lead at 18-13.
Ransom quickly made amends as he scored England's third try five minutes later. Ford converted and added a penalty for 23-18 after 65 minutes.
France still weren't done and almost scored again but the ball was ruled to be held up over the line and Ford promptly extended the lead with a long range penalty.
It was desperation time for France as they tried to move the ball from deep and Gray gleefully picked off an ambitious but errant pass to secure England's spot in the final.
Points: Wade 1T, Ford 1T, Ransom 1T, Gray 1T; Ford 3P 2C.
England U20 starting XV v France:
15 Ben Ransom (Saracens)
14 Jonathan Joseph (London Irish)
13 Guy Armitage (London Irish)
12 Owen Farrell (Saracens)
11 Christian Wade (London Wasps)
10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers)
9 Chris Cook (Bath Rugby)
1 Mako Vunipola Saracens
2 Mikey Haywood (Northampton Saints)
3 Will Collier (Harlequins)
4 Joe Launchbury (London Wasps)
5 Charlie Matthews (Harlequins)
6 Matt Kvesic (Worcester Warriors)
7 Matt Everard (Leicester Tigers)
8 Alex Gray (C) (Newcastle Falcons)
Replacements:
16 Rob Buchanan (Harlequins) on for Mikey Haywood 53 mins
17 Ryan Bower (Leicester Tigers) on for Will Collier 77 mins
18 Sam Twomey (Harlequins) on for Joe Launchbury 77 mins
19 Sam Jones (London Wasps) on for Matt Kvesic 57 mins
20 Dan Robson (Gloucester Rugby) on for Chris Cook 65 mins
21 Ryan Mills (Gloucester Rugby) on for Owen Farrell 50 mins
22 Marland Yarde (London Irish) on for Guy Armitage 56 mins
