SAINTS youngsters James Ward-Prowse, Matt Targett and Jack Stephens have helped England Under-21s to the final of the Toulon Tournament after a 1-0 victory over Japan Under-23s.

All Gareth Southgate's side needed was a point, but Chelsea man Lewis Baker was on the target from the penalty spot to confirm their fourth straight victory and his third of the competition. 

The Young Lions will now face France in the final on Sunday (17.45pm).

Former Southampton Tyro League player John Swift, now of Chelsea, won the penalty that his fellow Stamford Bridge star Baker dispatched on 14 minutes.

Under-21s captain Ward-Prowse was on the bench for the game, while central defender Stephens played the full game.

Left back Targett was substituted at half time as England confirmed their progress to the final.

Southgate's in-form side defeated Portugal 1-0 in their opening game before a 7-1 thrashing of Guinea and 4-0 drubbing of Paraguay as they romped through the group stages.

Saints man Ward-Prowse netted from the spot in the Guinea match. 

They will now face home nation France for a chance to win the annual competition for the first time in 22 years.

England beat Portugal 2-0 in their last final in 1994 with goals from Trevor Sinclair and Bruce Dyer while the team also included Sol Campbell and Jamie Redknapp. 

The class of 2016 made an early breakthrough for the winner after 14 minutes following a scrappy start when Swift was brought down in the area by Hiromu Mitsumaru and Baker - who was not born the last time England won the competition - beat Kosuke Nakamura from the spot.

Instead of immediately wilting Japan tried to hit back and Angus Gunn was forced to deal with Ado Onaiwu's drive 10 minutes later before Notsuda's drive dropped just wide. 

Japan continued to press and force England back as Callum Chambers was left trailing and Takumi Minamino fired just over.

But, just before the break, Baker almost double England's lead against the run of play when his drive was turned away by Nakamura.

The Chelsea midfielder was replaced by Stamford Bridge team-mate Ruben Loftus-Cheek at the break but England were almost pegged back on 51 minutes when Notsuda hit the bar. 

Swansea's Matt Grimes then struck the woodwork at the other end and while Japan continued to look the more dangerous they failed to find a breakthrough as England progressed.