The semi final stage of the 2016 World Rugby U20 Championships certainly lived up to expectations as we were treated to some thrilling games of rugby.

England and Ireland both reached the final, which takes place on Saturday at 19.00 at the AJ Bell. It will be England’s 4^th final in a row, having won it in 2013 and 2014 and been runners up in 2015. For Ireland, meanwhile, it is a first in their history.

Both sides deserved their victories though, Ireland were simply sublime against Argentina, winning 37-7 (see report here) and tremendous way to back up their superb group display that saw them beat New Zealand, Wales, and Georgia.

England were equally impressive, turning in their best performance of the season to beat South Africa 39-17 (see report here). They flew out of the traps, going 12-0 up after 6 minutes, but Martin Haag’s side will already be thinking about Saturday and Ireland. For both sides this job is far from done.

Of course the U20 World Championships ensure that every place is given, so Argentina and South Africa will meet in the 3^rd place play off.

There are also 5^th, 7^th, 9^th, and 11^th place play offs, and those semi finals also took place today.

For the 5^th-8^th place semi finals we had two games that saw teams who had played in the group stages pitted together.

Wales almost beat New Zealand last week, eventually going down 18-17, but they were hammered at the Manchester City Academy Stadium today, losing 71-12 to a Baby Blacks side with a point to prove after a disappointing group stage.

They will face Australia in the 5^th place play off after Scotland could not recreate the heroics of their Group stage win over the same opponents, losing 35-19. Scotland and Wales will meet in the 7^th place play off.

9^th place will be contested by Georgia and France, after Georgia, who host next year’s tournament, picked up their first win, 18-17 over Italy. France meanwhile beat Japan for the second time in a week, winning 41-27. Japan and Italy will meet in the 11^th place play off, the loser of which will be relegated to the U20 Trophy next season, with this year’s winners, Samoa, being promoted.

All six finals take place on Saturday, with 7^th, 9^th and 11^th at the Manchester City Academy Stadium, while 5^th, 3^rd, and the main final will take place at the AJ Bell. The main final, England v Ireland, will kick off at 19.00 and will be live on Sky Sports.

World Rugby U20 Championship Semi Final Results:

Semi Finals

Ireland 37-7 Argentina

England 39-17 South Africa

5^th-8^th Semi Finals

New Zealand 71-12 Wales

Scotland 19-35 Australia

9^th-12^th Semi Finals

Georgia 18-17 Italy

France 41-27 Japan

World Rugby U20 Championship Finals Day Fixtures:

 Saturday 25th June

Final – Ireland v England – 19.00, AJ Bell Stadium

3^rd Place Play-Off – Argentina v South Africa – 16.45, AJ Bell Stadium

5^th Place Play-Off – New Zealand v Australia – 14.30, AJ Bell Stadium

7^th Place Play-Off – Wales v Scotland– 16.30, Manchester City Academy Stadium

9^th Place Play-Off – Georgia v France– 14.15, Manchester City Academy Stadium

11^th Place Play-Off – Italy v Japan – 12.00, Manchester City Academy Stadium