Wales deny England U20 Grand Slam with shock win

Men's Under-20 Six Nations

Wales (13) 23

Tries: S Emanuel, Rees-Weldon Cons: Wilde 2 Pens: Wilde 3

England (13) 13

Try: McEachran Con: Coen Pens: Coen 2

Wales denied England a first Under-20 Six Nations Grand Slam since 2021 with a remarkable victory at Cardiff Arms Park.

The result is also likely to deny Mark Mapletoft's England side back-to-back championships, with France leading Scotland and having already secured a try bonus point.

Hooker Kepu Tuipulotu assisted prop Ralph McEachran with a sumptuous one-handed offload for the opening try and a perfect start for England.

Six points each from the boots of Harri Wilde and Ben Coen kept the game finely balanced, before Steffan Emanuel raced clear for the hosts as the sides went into the break level at 13-13.

A spectacular aerobic finish from Wales wing Harry Rees-Weldon gave Richard Whiffin's side the lead and ratcheted up the noise, as home fans began to believe they could seal a shock win.

Ferocious defence from Wales - led by skipper Harry Beddall and player of the match Harry Thomas - managed to keep England scoreless in the second half and forced multiple handling errors.

Victory means Wales finish third in the Under-20 Six Nations for the first time since 2017 after wins over Italy, Ireland and England.

Wales: Bowen; Rees-Weldon, Roberts, S Emanuel, Boshoff; Wilde, Davies; I Emanuel, Thomas, Scott, Jenkins, Gemine, Gwynne, Beddall (capt).

Replacements: Wood, Trevett, O James, Evans, C James, Edwards, Price, Woods.

England: Pearson; Bracken, Hall, Allison, Kinder; Coen, Hanson; McEachran, Tuipulotu, Raymont, Sodeke, Burrow (capt), Kpoku, Timmins, James.

Replacements: Gulley, Scola, Maka, Ainsworth-Cave, Treacey, Davis, Bellamy, Lilley.

Referee: Griffin Colby (SA)