Wales Stuns England Under-20s with Thrilling Six Nations Victory

Wales secured a stunning 23-13 victory over England U20s, denying them the Grand Slam and shaking up the Six Nations standings.

In a dramatic turn of events at Cardiff Arms Park, Wales delivered a sensational performance to defeat England U20s 23-13, shattering their hopes of securing a Grand Slam in the Under-20 Six Nations. This victory not only denied England their first Grand Slam since 2021 but also put a dent in their championship aspirations, with France now leading the standings.

The match began with England showing promise as hooker Kepu Tuipulotu showcased exceptional skill with a one-handed offload to set up prop Ralph McEachran for the opening try. However, Wales responded strongly, with both teams exchanging penalties to level the scores at 13-13 by halftime.

The second half saw Wales take control, with wing Harry Rees-Weldon scoring a spectacular try that ignited the crowd and gave the hosts the lead. Wales' defense, led by captain Harry Beddall and player of the match Harry Thomas, was relentless, stifling England's attack and forcing numerous errors.

This victory marks Wales' third-place finish in the Under-20 Six Nations, their best since 2017, following wins over Italy, Ireland, and now England. The result underscores the growing strength of Welsh rugby at the youth level and sets the stage for an exciting future.

Line-ups:

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)

What to Read Next

England's Rugby World Cup 2025 Squad: Champions, Youth, and the Road to Glory
Rugby

England's Rugby World Cup 2025 Squad: Champions, Youth, and the Road to Glory

Discover England's formidable 32-player squad for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup, featuring a mix of seasoned champions and fearless young talent aiming for glory.

Hugo Keenan Triumphs Over Early Challenges in British & Irish Lions Tour
Rugby

Hugo Keenan Triumphs Over Early Challenges in British & Irish Lions Tour

Hugo Keenan overcomes early injuries and illness to make a strong impact in the British & Irish Lions tour, eyeing a key role in the upcoming Test series against Australia.

Historic Thursday Night Kickoff Marks the Start of 2025-26 Prem Rugby Season
Rugby

Historic Thursday Night Kickoff Marks the Start of 2025-26 Prem Rugby Season

The 2025-26 Prem Rugby season begins with a historic Thursday night game between Sale Sharks and Gloucester, setting a new tone for the season.

Jac Morgan: From Welsh Valleys to Lions Glory
Rugby

Jac Morgan: From Welsh Valleys to Lions Glory

Discover how Jac Morgan's journey from the Welsh valleys to the British and Irish Lions' Test arena exemplifies dedication and skill in rugby.

Joyce-Butchers: A Rugby Love Story and the Journey to Parenthood
Rugby

Joyce-Butchers: A Rugby Love Story and the Journey to Parenthood

Jasmine and Alisha Joyce-Butchers share their journey to parenthood amidst their rugby careers, highlighting the challenges and joys of balancing family and sport.

Natasha Hunt's Emotional Comeback: A Journey to the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup
Rugby

Natasha Hunt's Emotional Comeback: A Journey to the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup

Natasha Hunt shares her emotional journey and determination as she secures her spot in England's squad for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup.

Owen Farrell Leads British & Irish Lions Against First Nations & Pasifika XV in Melbourne Clash
Rugby

Owen Farrell Leads British & Irish Lions Against First Nations & Pasifika XV in Melbourne Clash

Owen Farrell captains the British & Irish Lions in a historic match against the First Nations & Pasifika XV in Melbourne. Discover the team line-ups and key insights.

Jasmine Joyce-Butchers to Celebrate 50th Cap as Wales Aim for Double Victory Over Australia
Rugby

Jasmine Joyce-Butchers to Celebrate 50th Cap as Wales Aim for Double Victory Over Australia

Jasmine Joyce-Butchers earns her 50th cap as Wales targets a double win against Australia in Sydney, with key lineup changes and World Cup preparations in focus.

BBC Enhances Premiership Women's Rugby Coverage for 2025-27 Seasons
Rugby

BBC Enhances Premiership Women's Rugby Coverage for 2025-27 Seasons

BBC Sport expands its coverage of Premiership Women's Rugby, streaming matches weekly and broadcasting key games live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

Hannah Dallavalle Thrives in New Role Post-Captaincy: A Fresh Chapter in Welsh Rugby
Rugby

Hannah Dallavalle Thrives in New Role Post-Captaincy: A Fresh Chapter in Welsh Rugby

Hannah Dallavalle shares her journey post-captaincy, focusing on her role in the Wales rugby team and her aspirations for the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

Fearless Valetini: Australia's Key to Overcoming the Lions in Melbourne Showdown
Rugby

Fearless Valetini: Australia's Key to Overcoming the Lions in Melbourne Showdown

Discover how Rob Valetini, Australia's powerhouse, is pivotal in the Wallabies' strategy against the British and Irish Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

British & Irish Lions Bolster Squad with Scottish Trio for Crucial Matches
Rugby

British & Irish Lions Bolster Squad with Scottish Trio for Crucial Matches

The British & Irish Lions have added Scottish stars Darcy Graham, Rory Sutherland, and Ewan Ashman to their squad for upcoming matches against Pasifika XV and Australia.

England's Rugby World Cup 2025 Squad: Hunt and Scarratt Lead the Charge
Rugby

England's Rugby World Cup 2025 Squad: Hunt and Scarratt Lead the Charge

England's Rugby World Cup 2025 squad features veterans Natasha Hunt and Emily Scarratt, aiming for glory on home soil.

James O'Connor Returns to Wallabies Squad for Epic Clash Against British and Irish Lions
Rugby

James O'Connor Returns to Wallabies Squad for Epic Clash Against British and Irish Lions

James O'Connor rejoins the Wallabies squad for the upcoming Test series against the British and Irish Lions, bringing experience and excitement to the team.

Lions Tour Shake-Up: Williams Out, White Steps In for Crucial Matches
Rugby

Lions Tour Shake-Up: Williams Out, White Steps In for Crucial Matches

Tomos Williams exits the Lions tour due to injury, with Ben White called up as a replacement. Insights on team dynamics and upcoming challenges.

Load More

We use essential cookies to make our site work. With your consent, we may also use non-essential cookies to improve user experience and analyze website traffic. By clicking "Accept," you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy.