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England reach semi-finals of World Rugby U20 Championship

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Highlights of England U20s' 17-13 win over Australia at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Salford

England beat Australia 17-13 to make it into the semi-finals of the World Rugby U20 Championship, but New Zealand failed to make the final four for the first time in the tournament's history.

It was England's third successive win of the tournament after earlier victories over Italy and Scotland.

Australia held a seven-point lead at the break at the AJ Bell Stadium in Salford on Wednesday, having made a sensational start to the game, scoring after only 27 seconds.

They won turnover ball from the kick-off and recycled through their three-quarters before Jack Maddocks glided through England's midfield to cross.

Mack Mason sent over the conversion, but Harry Mallinder reduced the deficit with a penalty soon after.

Joe Marchant scores for England U20s
Image: Joe Marchant scores for England U20s

The Northampton Saints star missed with another three-point attempt minutes later, with a Mason penalty restoring Australia's seven-point lead.

Mallinder kicked his second penalty of the game after 30 minutes but Mason's three-pointer just before the break sent Australia into half-time with a 13-6 lead.

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Marchant collected Mallinder's delightful chip through the Australian defence to dot down and help inspire a second-half fightback.

For the Harlequins centre, it was his second try of the World Rugby U20 Championship and sparked England into life.

Mallinder missed a penalty from inside his own half with 17 minutes remaining but made no mistake shortly after as England took the lead for the first time in the game.

He sent over his fourth penalty with six minutes remaining and England held out for a 17-13 victory.

England will face South Africa in the semis on Monday, while Argentina and Ireland will meet in the second semi-final.

However, there is no place for New Zealand despite their last-gasp win over Wales

Wales led from the start and looked to have clinched the win, but Jordie Barrett kicked a penalty in the 79th minute to give the junior All Blacks an 18-17 win. However, with South Africa claiming the bonus-point win in their 40-31 win over France at the Academy Stadium in Manchester, they leapfrogged New Zealand as the best runners-up.

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Highlights of Wales' 18-17 defeat by New Zealand

Argentina booked their place in the semis with a 39-20 win over Japan in an entertaining game in Salford. Argentina scored five tries to three and overpowered Japan for their win, which saw them top Pool C.

Ireland's U20s followed up their win over New Zealand with a convincing 35-7 win over Georgia to top Pool A.

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Highlights of Ireland's 35-7 win over Georgia

Scotland also finished the Pool stages with a win as they saw off Italy 27-19.

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Highlights of Scotland's 27-19 win over Italy

Watch the World Rugby U20 Championship live on Sky Sports 3 HD on Monday from 3pm.

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