WALES Under-20s produced a heroic defensive display to edge a Six Nations cracker against world champions England in Colwyn Bay.

The Welsh young guns withstood a late charge from the visitors to emerge victorious 21-15 thanks to tries by hooker Liam Belcher and flanker Tom Phillips. It was a first victory against England since the change from Under-21s to Under20s in 2008.

Team manager Mark Taylor had stressed in the build-up that there were no mental scars from last season’s 67-7 hammering in Newcastle because of the large turnover of players in age-grade rugby yet Wales did have a point to prove at Parc Eirias.

And Newport Gwent Dragons flanker Ollie Griffiths, one of the survivors from the nightmare at Kingston Park, summed up their approach with a man of the match display, thriving with ball in hand in the loose and putting his body on the line in defence.

England led 12-11 at half time thanks to tries by Harlequins number eight James Chisholm and his clubmate and centre Joe Marchant.

But Wales responded on the stroke of half-time when Cardiff Blues front row forward Belcher powered over after a driving lineout was stopped just short of the line.

Scarlets fly-half Dan Jones was unable to add the conversion to his earlier pair of penalties but he booted the hosts in front from the tee early in the second half.

Wales then punished English indiscipline to power over from another driving lineout to take command. With lock Kieran Treadwell and prop Paul Hill in the sin bin the world champions were driven over their line for Scarlets flanker Phillips to dot down.

Jones converted superbly from the touchline to make it 21-12 before a Rory Jennings penalty made it a frantic finale.

England bossed the final stages but the young Welshmen put their bodies on the line to emerge with the spoils.

Wales U20 scorers: tries - L Belcher, T Phillips; conversion - D Jones; penalties - D Jones 3.

England U20 scorers: tries - J Chisholm, J Marchant; conversion - R Jennings; penalty - R Jennings.