LOCK Huw Taylor insists England are physically and mentally prepared for whatever South Africa throw at them in tonight’s World Rugby Under 20s Championship semi-final (7.45pm).

The talented forward has started in all three of their Pool B matches, with Worcester Warriors team-mates Jack Singleton and Andrew Kitchener also featuring, and now stands within two victories of securing England’s third world crown.

Having finished second-from-bottom in the Six Nations, Taylor felt they had a “point to prove” when the world tournament kicked off earlier this month.

And, after dismantling both Italy and Scotland before fighting back to edge Australia last Wednesday, Taylor is confident England are in good shape to face the Springboks at the Manchester City Academy Stadium.

“In the Six Nations we didn’t really gel as there were quite a few different faces,” he said.

“We struggled to come from behind in matches but against Australia we showed our resilience, so we have come on massively since then.

“To bounce back like we have done and to hopefully go on and beat South Africa would be a massive achievement for the team and we are really excited.”

Although Australia held a seven-point lead at the break, the 6ft 5ins 20-year-old believes their 17-13 triumph showed his side’s mental toughness.

“In the first two games we pretty much walked away with it,” said Taylor, who helped England see off Italy 48-10 and thrash Scotland 44-0.

“If that had happened again in the third game, then we might have had a bit of a shock in the semis.

“So in a way we are glad we had to come from behind as we have come closer as a team and got stronger.”

The winner of today’s semi-final will take on either Ireland or Argentina in the final at the AJ Bell Stadium in Salford on Saturday (7pm).

“South Africa will be very tough and similar to Australia physicality-wise,” Taylor added.

“They have got some big, old boys in there, so we cannot give them any gain-line and must be on top in the set-piece, which will be massive.

“We have done quite well so far against the other teams, so I think we can create a good platform.

“We have also been looking at their other games, so we are making sure we are as mentally prepared as we can be for this game.”

Taylor, Kitchener and Singleton are aiming to follow in the footsteps of Warriors full-back Ben Howard, who helped the class of 2013, boasting Jack Nowell and Anthony Watson, win the title.

It is the first time in the tournament’s nine-year history it has been held in England and Taylor admits the home crowd has made a huge difference.

“We were behind in the first half against Australia but the fans stuck with us and when you were in the scrums you could hear the fans shouting and pushing you on,” he said.

“They will play a key role again today, so hopefully they come out in numbers and create a similar atmosphere to the last game.”