FORMER Trojans youngster Anthony Allen is targeting fifth place after England narrowly missed out on the semi-finals at the IRB Under-21 rugby World Championships, writes KIERAN FOX.

Allen, 20, pictured, who now plays professionally for Gloucester, says he was tired, sore and disappointed after New Zealand pipped England to a place in the last four on points difference.

That was despite recording a convincing 31-12 victory over Scotland in wet conditions in France.

Allen, whose father, Tim, coaches at Trojans in Stoneham on the outskirts of Southampton, scored in the victory over Scotland.

The Kiwis lost 21-17 to France, but they go through with the greater points difference.

"At the moment I feel pretty tired and very sore after two games on the trot," said Allen.

"It's very disappointing not to go through but we know we had our chance and blew it against New Zealand. In a tough tournament like this you have to beat everyone to proceed and do well.

"We have lots to work on, we can still finish fifth and we have to look to that as our target now."

England, who earlier lost to New Zealand, must first beat Ireland tomorrow to qualify for the fifth and sixth place play-off.

Allen's former Hampshire Under-20 teammate, Mike Brown, now with Premiership Harlequins, said: "Now we have to try to finish the tournament on a good note by winning our last two games, playing well and enjoying ourselves.

"If we do we'll have won nine of our ten games this season, it's just a shame about New Zealand."