SUFFOLK pupil and former Essex youth player Alex Day played his part in a pulsating 38-34 win for England Under-18s over Wales in the semi-final of the FIRA/AER Championship.

The manner in which the dramatic victory was achieved led to head coach John Fletcher describing it as some of the best rugby he has ever seen.

Day, who went through Colchester youths and played for St Joseph’s College in Ipswich, continued his fantastic season which has seen him land a contract with Northampton Saints.

He started for the Under-18s, regarded as three off the main elite squad, in the last four clash in the Stade Jacques Fouroux stadium in Auch, France.

At one stage, England were 17 points behind but fought back to claim a memorable win through a last minute try from London Irish wing Anthony Watson. They now face Ireland in Saturday’s final after they beat hosts France 19-17 in the other semi-final.

Fletcher said: “We were outstanding. It’s some of the best rugby any Under-18 team that I have coached have played.”

And of the final, he added: “At this level, it’s about who turns up on the day. The margins between the elite sides in the northern hemisphere are marginal but we’re confident that we can produce.”