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Rugby News

Massive weekend for Under-20s hopefuls

England Under-20s, with five members of the Leicester Tigers development squad in their ranks, have reached a sixth successive final in the World Rugby Under-20s Championships.

Tigers trio Tom Hardwick, Ben White and Jordan Olowofela were among the tryscorers in a 32-31 semi-final win over South Africa on Tuesday, while clubmate Joe Heyes started in the front row. Second-rower Sam Lewis watched from the stands due to suspension.

England now face host nation France in the final with kick-off in Beziers on Sunday at 6.00pm UK time. The match will be shown live on ITV4.

Hosts France beat defending champions New Zealand in Perpignan in the other semi-final.

England will be chasing a fourth World Under-20s title after successes in 2013, ’14 and ’16.

Head coach Steve Bates said: “It is a great achievement for these guys, they played some really good rugby in the first half but couldn’t quite get enough ball in the second which meant it ended up being a tight game.

“Jordan’s try in the second half proved to be decisive and now we have a tough game to prepare for on Sunday.”

Wales, led by Leicester flanker Tommy Reffell, face Italy on Sunday (4.00pm UK time) and club colleague Sam Grahamslaw is with a Scotland team who take on Georgia (1.30pm) to determine their final placings in the tournament.