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England U20s book semi-final spot

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Will Evans helped England U20s to a 17-13 victory over Australia to book their place in the World Rugby U20 Championship semi-finals.

England fought back from the shock of conceding a try in the opening minute of Wednesday’s game at the AJ Bell Stadium to record a third victory from three pool games.
 
It means England qualify from Pool B as top seeds and will play South Africa in the semi-finals. Ireland will play Argentina in the other last four clash.
 
“I’m delighted for the players," head coach Martin Haag said. “We showed great resilience which is something we have worked on.

"We went into half-time behind, but there was no panic in the dressing room, the leaders spoke and we knew what we needed to do. It was always going to be tough against Australia, they are a great team.
 
“We move onto the next game now and need to improve aspects of our play.  The guys have come together in a short space of time and are starting to show their identity.  If we become more clinical and hold onto the ball better then we have the potential to be a dangerous side."

Leicester Tigers flanker Evans made his second U20s start and his second start of the championship, but was powerless to stop Australia scoring after 27 seconds through a Jack Maddocks try, converted by Mack Mason.

Harry Mallinder (Northampton Saints) and Mason then kicked two penalties each as Australia held a 13-6 lead at the break.
 
A try for Joe Marchant (Harlequins) sparked England into life in the second-half. Mallinder, who missed the conversion and a penalty from his own half, sent over a penalty to give England the lead for the first time.
 
And Mallinder kicked his fourth penalty of the contest with six minutes remaining to complete the scoring.
 
England
15 Darren Atkins (Bath Rugby)
14 George Perkins (Saracens)
13 Joe Marchant (Harlequins)
12 Johnny Williams (London Irish)
11 Matt Gallagher (Saracens)
10 Harry Mallinder (Northampton Saints)
9 Harry Randall (Gloucester Rugby)
1 Lewis Boyce (Yorkshire Carnegie)
2 Jack Walker - captain (Yorkshire Carnegie)
3 Will Stuart (Wasps)
4 Stan South (Harlequins)
5 Huw Taylor (Worcester Warriors)
6 George Nott (Sale Sharks)
7 Will Evans (Leicester Tigers)
8 Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby)

Replacements
16 Jack Singleton (Worcester Warriors)
17 Billy Keast (Exeter Chiefs)
18 Billy Walker (Saracens)
19 Jack Willis (Wasps)
20 Josh Bainbridge (Yorkshire Carnegie)
21 Max Green (Yorkshire Carnegie)
22 Max Malins (Saracens)
23 Max Wright (Yorkshire Carnegie)