Ollie Allan becomes a world champion, as England U20s triumph in South Africa

Former Hungerford RFC youth player Ollie Allan is a world champion.

He was part of the England U20 side which won the World Rugby U20 Championship in Cape Town, South Africa on Friday night.

The 20-year-old scrum-half started the final against reigning champions France, playing 47 minutes before being substituted.

His performance was vital in a resolute first-half display, in which England conceded no tries and held off their Six Nations rivals to go into the break with a 7-6 lead.

The second half would see a flurry of attacking rugby, as England scored 14 points without reply to storm into a 21-6 lead.

A last minute French fightback would reduce the score to 21-13, but that was how it ended.

England took home the title for the fourth time, taking them above France’s three and closing in on New Zealand’s six.

France had won the last three editions of the annual tournament back to back, but were bested by an England side which inspires optimism for the future.

Allan was at the heart of it, vital in maintaining his side’s fast paced play and scoring one try himself throughout the tournament.

The former London Irish man will now return to Leicester Tigers, where he’ll fight for a First Team breakthrough alongside clubmate and U20 captain, Finn Carnduff.

This Summer’s achievement will likely have gone some way to convincing new Head Coach, Michael Cheika, that his talent is deserving of consistent senior minutes.