Men's Under-20 Six Nations
England (0) 19
Tries: Tonga'uiha, Staples, Worsnip Cons: Davidson, Pater
Wales (16) 16
Try: Emanuel Con: Legatt-Jones Pens: Legatt-Jones 3
England produced a sensational second-half comeback to begin their Under-20 Six Nations campaign with a win over Wales in muddy conditions in Northampton.
The visitors had a 16-0 half-time lead inspired by fly-half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, who kicked three penalties and knocked over a quick-thinking grubber which was grounded by Steffan Emanuel.
England responded five minutes after the restart when replacement Sonny Tonga'uiha barged over.
They then cut the deficit to 16-12 six minutes later through Harlequins' Jimmy Staples, who dived over following a line-out.
But just as the momentum was shifting towards England, the hosts were reduced to 14 men.
Luke Davidson was shown a 20-minute red card by referee Luke Rogan after catching the head of Leggatt-Jones with his shoulder while the fly-half was waiting for a high kick to drop.
Wales had a spell of late territory but were unable to capitalise and England punished them by completing their comeback in the 75th minute when replacement Victor Worsnip crossed from a few metres out.
The result avenged England's defeat by Wales in the final match of last year's tournament which denied them a Grand Slam and handed the title to France.
"It's a different group from last year, it's great to play with the lads. We're a good, tight group," said England scrum-half Lucas Friday after the win.
"It was a tough first half, the conditions weren't great. We knew we had to be better game management-wise in the second half.
"I think in the first half we didn't play in the right areas, the conditions didn't want that. In the second half we kicked into the corners, put pressure on them."
England play Scotland - who thrashed Italy 36-10 in Treviso - in Edinburgh on Friday, 13 February (19:15 GMT), while Wales host France a day later (20:00).
England Under-20s: Pater (Northampton), Caluori (Saracens), Lilley (Exeter), Knight (Gloucester), Pearson (Leicester), Davidson (Saracens), Friday (Harlequins), Scola (Northampton), Staples (Harlequins), Streeter (Harlequins), Williams (Harlequins), Hogg (Sale), Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton), Marsh (Leicester), Treacey (Harlequins).
Replacements: Freeman-Price (Gloucester), Spencer (Sale), Tonga'uiha (Northampton), Ogden-Metherell, Kelly (Sale), Stewart-Harris (Saracens), Winters (Bath), Worsnip (Bristol).
Wales Under-20s: Woods (Bath) Cummings (Cardiff), Darwin-Lewis (Cardiff), S Emanuel (Cardiff), Bowen (Cardiff) Leggatt-Jones (Scarlets), S Davies (Cardiff); Tuckley (Dragons), Howe (Cardiff), Pritchard (Scarlets), L Evans (Exeter), Osian J Williams (Bristol), Osian Williams (Scarlets), C James (Gloucester), Gwynne (Gloucester).
Replacements: O Thomas (Bath), D James (Ospreys), Godfrey (Exeter), Cottle (Cardiff), Minto (Dragons), Kossuth (Scarlets), Woodyatt (Gloucester), Lucas (Cardiff).
Referee: Luke Rogan (USA)