Wales under-20s 18-17 South Africa

An incredible finish in the IRB Junior World Championships in Vannes, France, where Wales scored a 79th minute try (and a conversion from wide out) to beat reigning champions South Africa 18-17.

Wales dominated up front, were excellent in the backline (especially full back Jordan Williams), and a wonderful late chip into the corner by Sam Davies, collected by Ashley Evans for the winning try, was no less than they deserved.

Davies, the son of Scarlets coach and former Wales centre Nigel, still had to kick the conversion, which he did, nervelessly. What a win.

England will be the opponents in Wales’s first ever final on Sunday (live on Sky Sports) after they booked their place with a 33-21 triumph over New Zealand in the second semi-final.

The Baby Blacks had reached the final of every tournament to date, winning the first four and being pipped by hosts South Africa last year.

In 2012, Wales beat New Zealand in a stunning result, before they eventually finished third. Let’s see if they can go two better this year.

Wales under-20s shock New Zealand

As Wales prepare to kick off against Australia in Brisbane this morning (GMT), they will have to produce quite a performance to outdo that of the junior side.

Wales under-20s yesterday beat the ‘Baby Blacks’ of New Zealand 9-6 in the group stages of the IRB Junior World Championships in South Africa – inflicting NZ’s first ever defeat in the tournament, which they are looking to win for a fifth consecutive time.

And the result came just a year after Wales were on the wrong side of a 92-0 hammering to New Zealand in last season’s tournament.

But Wales had to come back from a 6-3 half-time deficit, at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch, with two penalties from Dragons’ winger Tom Prydie – the second with just 15 minutes to go – as well as an earlier one from Ospreys’ outside half Matthew Morgan enough to secure a famous win.

Morgan’s opposite number Scott Eade kicked a pair of penalties for the favourites.

Wales have already beaten Fiji in the tournament, and a win over Samoa would see them win the group and confirm their place in the last four of the tournament.

Wales have only been in the last four on one previous occasion – during the inaugural tournament in 2008, which they hosted. The side finished fourth that year.

New Zealand have always dominated the tournament, beating England in the finals of the 2008, 2009 and 2011 tournaments (38-3, 44-28 and 33-22 respectively). In 2010 they beat Australia 62-17.

Wales out of Europe as Finland score late winner

Under-19s international: Wales 1-2 Finland

A disappointing footballing week for Wales’s women was rounded off appropriately as Finland came from behind to edge a 2-1 win in their UEFA Under-19 Championship qualifier.

Wales needed to win to retain any hope of qualifying for the summer’s finals in Turkey, but conceded a 90th-minute winner at Scunthorpe United’s Glanford Park.

Defender Lauren Price gave Wales hope when she put her side ahead 11 minutes into the second half, but a Nora Heroum strike six minutes later restored parity.

And when substitute Ella-Rosa Huusko netted in injury time, Wales were sent to the bottom of Group 6 on goal difference – thanks to succumbing to England 6-0 – with their Scandinavian opponents leapfrogging them into third place.

Wales pipped by England in FIRA semis

Justin Bridou European Championship: ENGLAND 22-16 WALES

England under-18s survived a second-half fightback from their Welsh rivals to clinch a place in the FIRA-AER tournament final

Played at the 9,000-seater Central Ciudad Universitaria stadium in Madrid this afternoon, England’s intent proved to be enough to fell a determined Welsh effort.

Wales trailed 17-6 at the break, with two Jack Maynard penalties their only impression on the scoreboard. And, despite a try from captain Ben Roach in the second period, three English tries and an impressive defence were enough to see them into the final, where they will face Ireland.

Georgia celebrate beating Russia in the final of the under-19 European Championships in Bucharest, Romania, in November 2011. Picture: Flickr, DamjanBNZ

In their semi-final the Irish narrowly defeated France, who will take on Wales for third place.

Wales thrashed Italy 41-8 in the quarter finals, and the Italians went on to fall to Georgia, leaving them vying with Portugal to avoid finishing last of the Elite Division sides.

But Georgia’s victory is an encouraging sign for the Eastern Europeans, arguably one of rugby’s fastest-developing nations, and comes as another boost to rugby in the nation following its under-19 side winning the FIRA European Championship in Romania last autumn.

England 6-0 Wales

UEFA European Women’s Under-19 Championship qualifier

Wales have their work cut out if they are to make this summer’s under-19 European Championships after suffering a heavy defeat to England this evening.

A strong home side dominated in all aspects of the game, which was played in Sincil Bank, Lincoln, to lead Group 6 of the second qualifying phase.

Austria 0-2 Wales

UEFA European Women’s Under-19 Championship qualifier

Wales’s bid to qualify for this summer’s UEFA European Women’s Under-19 Championship qualifier with a 2-0 triumph over Austria in North Ferriby, Lincolnshire, this afternoon.

First-half goals from Cardiff City‘s Lauren Price and Arsenal midfielder Hayley Ladd helped Wales move to an early lead in qualifying Group 6.

It is the second and final qualifying stage before July’s finals, to be held in Turkey. The Welsh side will be keen to impress, particularly as they will be hosts of the 2012/13 edition of the tournament.

Lincoln City's Sincil Bank stadium, where Wales Women Under-19 face England on Monday night. Picture: Flickr, blogdroed

Wales finished second in this season’s first round-robin qualifying round last autumn, behind Iceland but ahead of Slovenia and Kazakhstan.

And it meant they were put in a group with Austria – as well as Finland and England, which hosts the round-robin. Wales face the hosts at Lincoln City’s Sincil Bank on Monday night, before rounding off their qualifying campaign against Finland at Scunthorpe United’s Glanford Park on Thursday afternoon.

Saturday’s Group 6 other result: England 1-0 Finland