South Africa showed their champion pedigree to retain the World Rugby Junior World Championship title after beating France 16-5 in an extraordinary final delayed by lightning in Tbilisi on Saturday, becoming the fourth team to win back-to-back titles in the tournament’s history. Elsewhere, New Zealand finished third, Scotland matched their best-ever placing of fifth and USA claimed a historic first-ever victory in the competition.

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Final

France 5-16 South Africa

The Junior Springboks rewrote the history books by becoming the first South African U20 side to win back-to-back Junior World Championship titles, edging out a courageous France in a tense, attritional final at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi.

In a title decider delayed by 45 minutes due to lightning in the area, there was no shortage of drama as Kevin Foote’s men had three tries disallowed and France one, but South Africa were not to be denied as they ground out the victory with 11 points from the boot of fly-half Yaqeen Ahmed and a crucial second-half try from centre Markus Muller.

The wet conditions ensured this was largely an attritional affair with defences firmly on top. Ahmed put South Africa ahead with a penalty in the eighth minute, rewarding his side’s early set-piece dominance, and it said much for the desire and commitment of both teams that the score remained at 3-0 until the fly-half’s second penalty on the stroke of half-time made it 6-0 at the break.

France seized the initiative at the start of the second half, pounding away at the South African line before Baptiste Tilloles’ delightful long pass sent flanker Raphaël Audebert over in the right corner to put Les Bleuets 5-6 ahead. Luka Keletaona could not convert, but France went close to a second moments later before a TMO check confirmed that Baptiste Veschambre had not grounded the ball.

The Junior Springboks secured breathing space when replacement Samuel Badenhorst was denied a try in the 57th minute after the TMO spotted a foot in touch during the build-up. Eventually, the dam wall broke — Muller burst clear in the 67th minute with Ahmed adding the conversion to give South Africa an eight-point cushion. Cheswill Jooste and Ahmed both had further tries chalked off in the closing stages, but it did not matter. Ahmed slotted a late penalty to seal a 16-5 victory and spark jubilant celebrations.

South Africa have now won 11 consecutive matches on the Junior World Championship stage and join New Zealand (2008-11), England (2013-14) and France (2018-19) as back-to-back winners. They now have three titles, matching France’s tally and trailing only England (four) and New Zealand (six).

“It means everything to us; it means everything to South Africa,” said Foote. “We knew France were big, physical and they just kept coming at us. We had to soak up a lot of pressure, but the story of this team has been that they never give up. We always felt that if we got our opportunity, we’d take it.”

Captain Siphosethu Mnebelele, who was part of last year’s title-winning squad, was overcome with emotion: “It feels seriously special. One thing about this team is that we just keep grinding it out because of the care we have for each other. We talk about giving love on defence, giving love on attack, and doing it for the guy next to you and for the people back home in South Africa.”

France captain Lucas Andjisseramatchi was gracious in defeat: “It’s really disappointing but congratulations to the Junior Springboks. I’m really proud of the boys this year because we’ve done a great job — winning the Six Nations and reaching the final of the Junior World Championship. We’ll come back stronger.”

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Third-place play-off

New Zealand 41-26 England

Second-row Finn McLeod scored a crucial second-half double as New Zealand beat England for the sixth time in seven meetings at the Junior World Championship to claim the bronze medal at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium — the venue of their last title triumph in 2017.

England could not have hoped for a better start when speedster Sam Winters shrugged off several tackles to score under the posts inside the first three minutes. New Zealand responded swiftly through lock Jake Frost’s close-range finish before England centre Nick Lilley and McLeod were both shown yellow cards in a fiery opening quarter.

Frost cleverly created space to score his second in the 26th minute, but the combative Jimmy Staples hit back immediately after George Marsh’s delightful offload played the hooker into space. Finn Keylock’s conversion gave England a 14-10 half-time lead.

Replacement Jake Hutchings, the Rotorua Boys’ High School product making his debut, was driven over in the 44th minute to put New Zealand back in front before Staples forced his way across for his second four minutes later. But Cohen Norrie, one of New Zealand’s standout performers throughout the tournament, stepped sharply off his left foot and burst through a gap to create a try for centre Siale Pahulu that swung momentum decisively.

McLeod, who topped New Zealand’s tackle count with 15 and carries with 13, made amends for his earlier yellow card by powering over twice inside three minutes to put the result beyond doubt. Tyler Offiah, the son of rugby league great Martin Offiah, plucked a cross-field kick out of the air to score a consolation for England before Max Fale completed the scoring with New Zealand’s seventh try.

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Fifth-place play-off

Scotland 28-21 Wales

Scotland held on during a nerve-shredding finale to beat familiar foes Wales and secure fifth place — emulating their highest-ever Junior World Championship finish, achieved at the same tournament in Georgia in 2017.

Wales began brightly at the Avchala Stadium as second-row Will Evans squeezed over before prop Jac Pritchard barrelled his way across to establish a 14-0 lead. But Scotland steadied themselves with two tries in the space of two minutes — prop Ollie Blyth-Lafferty twisted and turned over the line before Alex Bryden’s perfect flat pass sent centre partner Henry Kesterton charging through to score under the posts. Jake Dalziel converted both to level the scores at 14-14 by half-time.

Scotland came out with renewed intent after the break. Evans was shown a yellow card for a dangerous clean-out and captain Joe Roberts made the indiscretion count immediately, burrowing over from close range for his sixth try of the tournament. Dalziel added the extras for a 21-14 lead, but Wales hit back when fullback Lewis Edwards raced through the Scottish defence for a 22-metre romp to the line. Lloyd Lucas converted to draw the scores level at 21-21.

The decisive moment came after Wales lost Tom Bowen to a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on. Replacement scrumhalf Matthew Fick plucked the ball from a rolling maul and darted round the corner, finding winger Daniel Kelly who dived over in the right corner. Dalziel’s conversion made it 28-21.

The drama was far from over. Scotland had Fick and Ewan Caven sin-binned in the closing stages, reducing them to 13 men, but inspired by their talismanic captain Roberts — who held up Wales over the line with a crucial tackle — the 13 men held firm. Wales spilled the ball over the line on two occasions as Scotland’s gritty defence won them the match in the dying moments.

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Seventh-place play-off

Argentina 29-52 Australia

Australia hooker John Grenfell scored twice on his first start of the tournament to help the Junior Wallabies seal a comfortable victory in the seventh-place play-off at Avchala Stadium on Friday.

Grenfell’s first-half double was the highlight of a dominant opening 40 minutes that saw Australia score five tries and establish a commanding 33-10 lead. From there they did not look back and, having shared three wins apiece in their previous six Junior World Championship meetings, Australia beat Los Pumitas for the fourth time.

Grenfell opened the scoring inside the second minute from Sam Blank’s short pass but Argentina’s free-scoring fullback Simón Pfister hit back with his eighth try of the tournament — taking a superb pass from fly-half Federico Serpa Laporte. Grenfell crashed over again from a lineout before Zac Fittler, Luca Cleverley and the impressive Tom Farr-Jones got in on the act before half-time. Toby Brial, Farr-Jones and Kingbenjamin Swerling-Finaipepe added further tries with second-half scores from Bautista Salinas Mallea, Nicolás Cambiasso and Tomás Canedo for Argentina.

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Ninth-place play-off

Italy 26-34 Ireland

Ireland secured ninth place after beating Italy in an enthralling encounter at the AIA Arena in Kutaisi for a third win against the Azzurrini in their last four Junior World Championship meetings.

A highly entertaining first half ended 22-14 to Andrew Browne’s side as Ireland outscored Italy by five tries to four. Captain Josh Neill’s close-range try put Ireland ahead before second-row Enoch Opoku Gyamfi finished off a superb break from Pietro Celi for his third try of the tournament. Hooker Duinn Maguire barged over for Ireland’s second but Italy hit back immediately when prop Erik Meroi stole through to score, and winger Charlie Molony restored Ireland’s advantage before Daniel Green’s penalty made it 22-14 at the break.

Italy absorbed plenty of pressure in the second half, especially after losing Jaheim Wilson to a yellow card, before Luca De Novellis dived over in the left corner. Mattia Andretti’s third conversion cut Ireland’s lead to a single point at 22-21, but Charlie O’Shea then touched down Molony’s teasing grubber kick to restore breathing space. Opoku Gyamfi thought he had scored his second late on but it was disallowed for a forward pass, and Ireland went over again through Seán Walsh’s intercept before Nikolaj Varotto’s last-minute consolation.

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Eleventh-place play-off

Georgia 10-30 Fiji

Fiji made it back-to-back wins on the Junior World Championship stage thanks to a powerful first-half display against tournament hosts Georgia at the AIA Arena in Kutaisi.

The Junior Lelos had won their previous two Junior World Championship meetings with Fiji — in 2019 and 2024 — but Andrew Tui Osborne’s side were deserving winners. Fiji enjoyed a dream start when scrumhalf Isikeli Bari Ratu’s exquisite long pass sent Sevuloni Rakoto Sauleirogo Satala diving over in the right corner. Marika Koroi went over from close range before Bari Ratu’s perfectly weighted grubber kick was grounded by captain Isoa Koroinawai to make it 17-0 at the break.

Despite three yellow cards in the second half — for Faimalaga Tuvalu, Francis Peters and Maleli Nauvasi — there would be no way back for Georgia. Mikheil Shioshvili and Leonide Saldadze gave the home fans something to cheer, but Savenaca Durusolo Vagadai had the final say with Fiji’s fourth try late on.

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Thirteenth-place play-off

Japan 34-26 Spain

Japan beat Spain in an ill-disciplined affair which saw seven players shown yellow cards — five of them to Los Leones — at the AIA Arena in Kutaisi on Friday. Japan capitalised to win two matches in a single Junior World Championship for the first time.

Spain were forced into a reshuffle in the centres after Marcos López was withdrawn with a ruptured ACL, but captain Marçal Carreras scored an early opener before Japan hit back with tries from Isa Fukada and Rio Iwakura. Spain had Iván Farace and Telmo Fisher sent to the sin bin but Carreras scored again to give Los Leones an 18-12 half-time lead.

Japan responded in the second half with tries from Shinnosuke Uchida, Yuta Otabe and Masato Hyakutake as three more yellow cards proved costly for Spain, who could only muster a consolation try through Farace.

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Fifteenth-place play-off

USA 39-15 Uruguay

USA recovered from a sluggish start to overpower Uruguay and claim their first-ever Junior World Championship victory in the fifteenth-place play-off at the AIA Arena in Kutaisi on Friday.

Uruguay had failed to score a try in their three previous matches in Georgia but found themselves 15-0 ahead after 33 minutes following a remarkable hat-trick of close-range scores from hooker Sebastián Perez. If Los Teritos were dreaming of a first-ever win in this tournament, the response was devastating — USA scored on the stroke of half-time through hooker Aidan Stewart, the first of 39 unanswered points.

Number eight Papaseea Matelau and flanker Harrison Cluff put Johannes Gericke’s men in control in the second half before Oliver Kirk and Liam Hall scored late on to seal the historic victory at the 15th attempt.

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Final standings

1. South Africa, 2. France, 3. New Zealand, 4. England, 5. Scotland, 6. Wales, 7. Australia, 8. Argentina, 9. Ireland, 10. Italy, 11. Fiji, 12. Georgia, 13. Japan, 14. Spain, 15. USA, 16. Uruguay.

France take on defending champions South Africa in a mouthwatering final at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi on Saturday evening, but all 16 teams are in action across two days as the 2026 Junior World Championship reaches its conclusion in Georgia.

The fixtures

Friday 17 July — AIA Arena, Kutaisi:

15th-place play-off: USA v Uruguay (18:00 local, 15:00 BST, 14:00 GMT)

13th-place play-off: Japan v Spain (20:30 local, 17:30 BST, 16:30 GMT)

Friday 17 July — Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi:

7th-place play-off: Argentina v Australia (18:00 local, 15:00 BST, 14:00 GMT)

5th-place play-off: Scotland v Wales (20:30 local, 17:30 BST, 16:30 GMT)

Saturday 18 July — AIA Arena, Kutaisi:

11th-place play-off: Georgia v Fiji (18:00 local, 15:00 BST, 14:00 GMT)

9th-place play-off: Italy v Ireland (20:30 local, 17:30 BST, 16:30 GMT)

Saturday 18 July — Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi:

3rd-place play-off: New Zealand v England (18:00 local, 15:00 BST, 14:00 GMT)

Final: France v South Africa (20:30 local, 17:30 BST, 16:30 GMT)

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Final: France v South Africa

This has all the makings of a classic as two sides dripping with pace, power and skill meet in a first-ever Junior World Championship final between the nations. France are aiming to lift the trophy for a fourth time while the Junior Springboks are bidding to create history by winning back-to-back titles for the first time.

Cédric Laborde has kept faith with the exact XV that beat New Zealand 26-22 in the semi-final, when centre Adrien Drault scored a dramatic 76th-minute try to seal a famous victory. The settled front row of Mathéo Frisach, Gabin Garault and Alexandre Langlois is retained, with the second-row pairing of Baptiste Veschambre and Roméo Bonnard Martin continuing their effective partnership. Captain Lucas Andjisseramatchi, a fixture in the starting side throughout the tournament, is again joined in the back row by Raphaël Audebert and Elyjah Ibsaiene.

Behind the scrum, the half-back combination of Baptiste Tilloles and Luka Keletaona has been a consistent platform, with Drault and Bastien Rasal renewing their centre partnership. Paul Cellio Zwiler, who joined the squad during the tournament after Tom Lêveque’s withdrawal, continues on the wing alongside Melvyn Rates, with Axel Guillaud at fullback.

Kevin Foote has made three changes to the Junior Springboks side that overpowered England 53-37 in their semi-final. Wasi Vyambwera starts at number eight with Gert Kemp moving to the bench, while Risima Khosa earns a start at flanker. The only backline change is enforced — Alzeadon Felix comes in at fullback for Luan Giliomee, who received a red card in the semi-final.

The experienced front-row combination of Oliver Reid, captain Siphosethu Mnebelele and Danie Kruger anchors the scrum, with Heinrich Theron and JD Hattingh continuing in the second row. Fly-half Yaqeen Ahmed, who finished with 23 points against England, partners Hendré Schoeman at half-back behind a midfield of Ethan Adams and Markus Muller. Khuthadzo Rasivhaga and Cheswill Jooste provide pace on the wings.

The Junior Springboks will wear black armbands in Saturday’s final as a mark of respect for former SA Under-18 prop Luqobo Makwedini, who passed away on 10 July at the end of a training session with his French club, AS Béziers Hérault.

“We want to continue playing the South African way,” said Foote. “That means using our physicality to create momentum, winning the gain-line battle and playing with tempo and intensity. Our set piece will be important in providing a solid platform, but we will also need to be smart and accurate, particularly on defence.”

Foote praised the squad’s collective mentality throughout the tournament: “The outstanding quality of this group is the bond they share and how much they enjoy representing South Africa. France are a very formidable side and fully deserve their place in the final.”

Junior Springbok fly-half Ahmed echoed the team-first theme: “It is really a team effort every day that we spend together. Those who are not in the team help the coaches prepare the guys who are playing. We have 80 minutes left of this campaign, and we will give it our absolute best.”

Captain Mnebelele was equally direct: “We are well prepared for the final match, and we are all excited to represent South Africa in the final. Our focus is to be ready to take on a very good French side who have demonstrated their abilities by reaching the final.”

France and South Africa have not met in the Junior World Championship since the 2019 semi-final, which Les Bleuets won 20-7. However, the sides did face each other in Tbilisi in 2017, when the Junior Springboks won the third-place play-off 37-15. South Africa are on their longest winning run at the tournament — 10 victories — as they look to retain their crown.

France: 15 Axel Guillaud, 14 Paul Cellio Zwiler, 13 Adrien Drault, 12 Bastien Rasal, 11 Melvyn Rates, 10 Luka Keletaona, 9 Baptiste Tilloles; 1 Mathéo Frisach, 2 Gabin Garault, 3 Alexandre Langlois, 4 Baptiste Veschambre, 5 Roméo Bonnard Martin, 6 Raphaël Audebert, 7 Lucas Andjisseramatchi (capt), 8 Elyjah Ibsaiene. Replacements: 16 Elia Masi, 17 Édouard-Junior Jabea Njocke, 18 Maël Turpin, 19 Léo Michaux, 20 Bobby Bissu, 21 Valentin Hutteau, 22 Diego Jurd, 23 Hugo Avogadro.

South Africa: 15 Alzeadon Felix (Lions), 14 Cheswill Jooste (Bulls), 13 Markus Muller (Stormers), 12 Ethan Adams (Lions), 11 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Sharks), 10 Yaqeen Ahmed (Stormers), 9 Hendré Schoeman (Bulls); 1 Oliver Reid (Stormers), 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele (capt, Bulls), 3 Danie Kruger (Stormers), 4 Heinrich Theron (Bulls), 5 JD Hattingh (Lions), 6 Risima Khosa (Lions), 7 Luke Cannon (Lions), 8 Wasi Vyambwera (Sharks). Replacements: 16 Liam van Wyk (Sharks), 17 Rambo Kubheka (Sharks), 18 Luan van der Berg (Bulls), 19 Jaythen Orange (Lions), 20 Thomas Beling (Lions), 21 Gert Kemp (Stormers), 22 Jayden Brits (Stormers), 23 Samuel Badenhorst (Stormers).

Referee: Reuben Keane (Australia)

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Third-place play-off: New Zealand v England

The bronze medal is on the line as six-time champions New Zealand take on four-time winners England at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium. Both sides will be desperate to end their campaigns on a winning note after semi-final disappointments.

Kane Jury has made five changes to the New Zealand starting XV. Alex Hewitt and Finn McLeod come into the pack at prop and lock respectively, while Jackson Hughan starts at scrumhalf. In the backline, Lautasi Etuale replaces David Lewai, who is ruled out through illness, and Logan Williams takes the fullback jersey from Cohen Norrie, who shifts to fly-half in the absence of Mika Muliaina, who is sidelined with a quadricep strain.

“A big part of our campaign has been learning to focus on the moment and the task in front of us and that’s what we’ve done this week,” said Jury. “It’s an important match and we’re motivated to finish off the campaign with a performance that reflects the effort and care the players have put into the tournament.”

England are without back-rower Seb Kelly, who is suspended for six matches following his red card in the semi-final. Andy Titterrell makes four changes to his starting XV, with Finn Keylock at centre, Jonny Weimann at scrumhalf, and forwards Jack Lewis and George Marsh earning starts. Second-row Aiden Ainsworth-Cave captains the side for his 17th and final U20 cap.

“The group has earned this opportunity through the work they’ve put in across the tournament,” said Titterrell. “This fixture is a chance to bring together everything we’ve worked on as a team and deliver a performance that reflects who we are and what we’ve built throughout the Championship.”

New Zealand have won five of their previous six meetings with England at the Junior World Championship, including a 64-17 demolition at this very venue in the 2017 final, when a side featuring future All Blacks Will Jordan, Caleb Clarke and Luke Jacobson ran riot.

New Zealand: 15 Logan Williams (Crusaders), 14 Ollie Guerin (Chiefs), 13 Siale Pahulu (Blues), 12 Haki Wiseman (capt, Chiefs), 11 Lautasi Etuale (Crusaders), 10 Cohen Norrie (Blues), 9 Jackson Hughan (Highlanders); 1 Henry Stuart (Highlanders), 2 Josh Findlay (Crusaders), 3 Alex Hewitt (Hurricanes), 4 Finn McLeod (Crusaders), 5 Jake Frost (Crusaders), 6 Bradley Tocker (Chiefs), 7 Caleb Woodley (Blues), 8 Patrick Mauga (Hurricanes). Replacements: 16 Xavier Leota (Blues), 17 Ethan Webber (Highlanders), 18 Dane Johnston (Chiefs), 19 Max Fale (Crusaders), 20 Micah Fale (Chiefs), 21 Charlie Sinton (Chiefs), 22 Jimmy Taylor (Highlanders), 23 Jake Hutchings (Blues).

England: 15 George Pearson (Leicester Tigers), 14 Tyler Offiah (Bath), 13 Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs), 12 Finn Keylock (Saracens), 11 Sam Winters (Bath), 10 Hugh Shields (Northampton U18), 9 Jonny Weimann (Northampton Saints); 1 Oliver Scola (Northampton Saints), 2 Jimmy Staples (Harlequins), 3 Ollie Streeter (Harlequins), 4 Elliot Williams (Harlequins), 5 Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (capt, Northampton Saints), 6 Tate Williams (Harlequins), 7 Jack Lewis (Northampton Saints), 8 George Marsh (Leicester Tigers). Replacements: 16 Jerold Gorleku (Harlequins), 17 Alan Poku (Saracens), 18 Sonny Tonga’uiha (Northampton Saints), 19 Freddie Ogden-Metherell (Gloucester), 20 Kealan Freeman-Price (Gloucester), 21 Lucas Friday (Harlequins), 22 Will Knight (Gloucester), 23 Zac Finch (Saracens).

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Fifth-place play-off: Scotland v Wales

Scotland can emulate their best-ever Junior World Championship finish of fifth — a feat they achieved in Georgia in 2017 — by beating Wales at Avchala Stadium on Friday evening.

Fergus Pringle has made four changes following the impressive 44-26 victory over Argentina. Scrumhalf Asa Stewart-Harris and second-row Alfie Blackett come into the starting line-up, while prop Oliver McKenna and back-rower Jack Utterson return. Joe Roberts again captains the side, with Jake Dalziel continuing as vice-captain at fly-half.

“I was delighted with the way the team played against Argentina, starting well, creating opportunities and we were clinical,” said Pringle. “Wales have had a great tournament and they have big players in key positions so we know the challenge we’re up against.”

Wales, bidding for their highest placement since finishing runners-up in 2013, make three changes. Co-captain Deian Gwynne moves from blindside flanker to number eight, with Tom Cottle slotting into the six jersey and loosehead George Leyland replacing Dylan James.

Gwynne, who will graduate into senior rugby at Gloucester after this tournament, spoke of the emotional significance of the occasion: “What an opportunity we have to achieve something as a group that hasn’t been done since 2013. For many of us it will be our last chance to play together at this level.”

This will be the fourth meeting between the sides at the Junior World Championship. Scotland won the most recent encounter — the 2017 fifth-place semi-final (29-25).

Scotland: 15 Rory McHaffie, 14 Daniel Kelly, 13 Henry Kesterton, 12 Alex Bryden, 11 Nairn Moncrieff, 10 Jake Dalziel, 9 Asa Stewart-Harris; 1 Oliver McKenna, 2 Joe Roberts (capt), 3 Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, 4 Alfie Blackett, 5 Dan Halkon, 6 Christian Lindsay, 7 Jack Utterson, 8 Harvey Preston. Replacements: 16 Jamie McAughtrie, 17 Jamie Stewart, 18 Jackson Rennie, 19 Finlay Mather, 20 Oliver Finlayson Russell, 21 Matthew Fick, 22 Calum Jessop, 23 Ewan Caven.

Wales: Co-captains Deian Gwynne and Steffan Emanuel lead the side. George Leyland starts at loosehead, Gwynne at number eight, with Tom Cottle at blindside flanker. Full team to be confirmed.

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Seventh-place play-off: Argentina v Australia

Both sides are aiming to avoid a third successive defeat as they meet at Avchala Stadium on Friday. Argentina have made seven changes, with Benjamín Farias Cerioni, Manuel Cuneo Camargo, Bautista Benavides and Jerónimo Sorondo coming into the pack and Benjamín Ledesma Arocena, Federico Serpa Laporte and Juan Preumayr joining the backline. Tournament top try-scorer Simón Pfister, with seven tries, continues at fullback.

Australia suffered four injuries in the opening quarter of their fifth-place semi-final defeat to Wales. Treyvon Pritchard, the standout Queensland Reds back, is replaced by Tom Farr-Jones, with Wallace Charlie moving to fullback. Zac Fittler joins Charlie Bird in the centres, Luca Cleverley starts in the back row and John Grenfell earns his first start of the tournament at hooker.

“The whole group are hungry to finish our Junior World Championship campaign on a high,” said Australia coach Chris Whitaker. “I’ve been proud at how our players have responded to adversity this tournament, especially with the injuries suffered to key members at vital moments.”

This is the seventh meeting between the sides at the Junior World Championship — it is three wins apiece heading into Friday.

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Ninth-place play-off: Italy v Ireland

Italy produced their joint-biggest win in Junior World Championship history when defeating Georgia 43-19 on Monday, with all their points coming in a dominant first-half display. Head coach Andrea Di Giandomenico names captain Riccardo Casarin at inside centre, with Roberto Fasti at fly-half and Jaheim Noel Wilson continuing at number eight. Lock Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi, the former Bath forward who has a senior Italy cap to his name, provides second-row muscle.

“We are aware of the need to confirm and, if possible, improve the performance we produced against Georgia,” said Di Giandomenico. “Ireland will present us with demanding challenges in many areas of the game.”

Ireland head coach Andrew Browne has reshuffled his side after the narrow 24-19 victory over Fiji, naming Daniel Green at fullback, Charlie O’Shea at fly-half and Josh Neill as captain from blindside flanker. Rob Carney and James O’Leary form the midfield partnership.

Italy won the most recent meeting between the sides — an 18-16 pool-stage success at last year’s tournament in Viadana.

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Eleventh-place play-off: Georgia v Fiji

Hosts Georgia will look to give their partisan support in Kutaisi reason to cheer when they face Fiji at the AIA Arena on Saturday. The Junior Lelos have made six changes from the defeat to Italy, with scrumhalf Giorgi Khonelidze making his first start of the tournament and centre Leonide Saldadze returning after missing three matches since the opening-round game against Wales.

Georgia have beaten Fiji in both of their previous Junior World Championship meetings — 12-8 in 2019 and 40-36 in 2024, both in the ninth-place semi-final and both by four-point margins.

Fiji, who have won just three of their last 24 games at the tournament, pushed Ireland all the way in their semi-final and will aim to bow out with a victory.

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Thirteenth-place play-off: Japan v Spain

This is the first-ever meeting between Japan and Spain at the Junior World Championship. Both sides arrive in form after recording their biggest victories of the tournament last time out — Japan’s 71-21 demolition of USA ended a 19-match losing run, while Spain’s 57-6 win over Uruguay was the most points they have ever scored in the tournament.

Spain captain Marçal Carreras returns to the starting side at number eight, with Mateo Antem at fly-half and Malakai Hafoka moving to fullback. Japan make changes in the pack with Sota Miura and Kotaro Kumagae earning starts, while Keigo Sato comes in at scrumhalf.

Both sides have a first in sight — Japan have never won consecutive matches at the tournament, while Spain are targeting two wins in a single tournament for the first time.

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Fifteenth-place play-off: USA v Uruguay

In the battle to avoid finishing last, USA take on Uruguay at AIA Arena with both eager to register a first win of the tournament. USA make just two changes from the 71-21 defeat to Japan, with Lyndon Bailey coming into the second row and Marco Lapierre starting on the wing. Uruguay have made six changes following their 57-6 loss to Spain.

France and South Africa will meet in the World Rugby Junior World Championship 2026 final after hard-fought semi-final victories over New Zealand and England respectively in Tbilisi on Monday. Scotland and Wales will contest fifth place after beating Argentina and Australia in dramatic encounters on Sunday, while Japan and Spain secured their first wins of the tournament in the 13th-place bracket.

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Semi-finals

France 26-22 New Zealand

Adrien Drault scored a dramatic 76th-minute winning try as France edged out New Zealand to seal their place in the final, the centre finishing off a length-of-the-field move that drew comparisons to France’s famous 1994 try at Eden Park.

The match was shaped by the strength of both teams’ set pieces in humid conditions at the Avchala Stadium. France won all 16 of their lineouts while New Zealand secured 12 of 13, and both sides scored through their rolling mauls in a tight first half. Props Ethan Webber and Henry Stuart crossed for New Zealand either side of hooker Gabin Garault’s two tries for France, the La Rochelle product taking his tournament tally to six. Stuart’s score was particularly impressive, coming with lock Max Fale in the sin bin.

Replacement Finn McLeod squeezed over from close range to put New Zealand back in front at 22-19 before Caleb Woodley was sin-binned. Elia Masi crossed for France to draw level before Mika Muliaina’s epic 45-metre penalty edged New Zealand ahead with eight minutes remaining.

Then came the moment of magic. France fumbled inside the New Zealand 22 and were cleared deep into their own quarter, but Hugo Avogadro slipped past Logan Williams’s chase and surged down the right touchline. Melvyn Rates took the ball infield and Drault was on hand for the champagne finish. It was France’s seventh consecutive semi-final appearance and squared the all-time semi-final record between the sides at 4-4.

“I’m really happy because it was a really hard game against a great team,” said jubilant France captain Lucas Andjisseramatchi. “We always stayed together and our team is incredible.”

New Zealand captain Haki Wiseman admitted the defeat was devastating: “It’s a tough one to take and everyone’s hurting right now. We wanted to defend what the 2017 New Zealand team did here and it’s a really tough pill to swallow.”

South Africa 53-37 England

Defending champions South Africa overpowered England in the second semi-final at the Avchala Stadium, but needed a ferocious second-half performance to turn the match around after trailing 20-12 at the break.

England enjoyed a dream start when tighthead Ollie Streeter barged over in the fourth minute, with Hugh Shields converting. Fly-half Yaqeen Ahmed levelled with a strong finish and conversion, but Shields booted a penalty and then collected a short pass from Lucas Friday to dive over, his conversion making it 17-7. Within minutes, disaster struck for England as flanker Seb Kelly was shown a permanent red card for a headbutt on Luan Giliomee.

Ahmed immediately sent a brilliant cross-field kick to the left corner where winger Khuthadzo Rasivhaga touched down unopposed, but Shields’ second penalty gave England a 20-12 interval lead.

The second half was a different story. South Africa scored four tries without reply in the first 13 minutes as the numerical advantage told. Giliomee was instrumental, providing the final pass for Rasivhaga’s second before sending flanker Kebotile Maake thundering over. Maake scored his second two minutes later and Rasivhaga completed his hat-trick with a brilliant corner finish as South Africa surged to 40-20.

England’s Jonny Weimann pulled one back, but Luke Cannon’s converted try and an Ahmed penalty pushed the Junior Boks further clear. Giliomee then received a yellow card — upgraded to a 20-minute red — for a clumsy challenge in the air, which could rule him out of the final. Tate Williams and Shields scored consolation tries for England, but South Africa’s class had long since settled the contest. Ahmed finished with 23 points.

“England gave us a tough time but we managed to keep calm and get the win,” said Junior Springboks captain Siphosethu Mnebelele. “We know how well-coached France are and it’s a final, so we’ll work really hard on our preparations.”

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Fifth-place semi-finals

Scotland 44-26 Argentina

Joe Roberts took his tally to five tries in four games as Scotland kept alive hopes of matching their best-ever finish of fifth place with an impressive defeat of Argentina at the Avchala Stadium on Sunday.

The hooker and captain touched down either side of half-time as Fergus Pringle’s side outscored Los Pumitas by seven tries to three. Prop Ollie Blyth-Lafferty crashed over for the opener before Roberts powered over from an attacking lineout maul, with Nairn Moncrieff adding a third on the blindside to make it 19-7 at the break. Argentina’s only first-half points came via a penalty try after Dan Halkon was yellow-carded for an illegal maul entry.

Scotland turned on the style in the second half with four more tries through Hamish MacArthur, Roberts, Oliver McKenna and Harvey Preston. Argentina showed their quality with tries from Bautista Lescano, Pedro Coll and Ramón Fernández, but 17-year-old fly-half Jake Dalziel controlled proceedings throughout and sealed the victory with a late penalty.

Wales 38-36 Australia

Wales heaved a sigh of relief after Australia had what would have been a late match-winning try ruled out by the TMO in a breathless encounter at the Avchala Stadium on Sunday.

Australia battled against huge adversity after losing four players to injury during the opening quarter, most notably Queensland Reds star Treyvon Pritchard, who suffered a fibula fracture and syndesmosis injury from a hip-drop tackle in the 11th minute. Second-row Will Ross, flanker Marshall Le Maitre and prop Lehopoame Leota also departed.

Wales capitalised with early tries from Rhys Cummings and Osian Darwin-Lewis to lead 14-0, but replacement Tom Farr-Jones scored twice either side of Sam Blank’s effort to put Australia 17-14 ahead. Cummings’ second immediately after the restart restored Wales’s lead and co-captain Deian Gwynne added a fourth try, with Carwyn Leggatt-Jones’ conversion and a penalty stretching the advantage to 31-17.

Riley Whitfeld pulled one back before a red card for Wales’s Luke Evans gave Australia renewed hope. Edwin Langi powered over, but a penalty try — awarded when Toby Brial was sin-binned for pulling down a maul — proved decisive. John Grenfell’s close-range score brought Australia within two points before Jonty Fowler appeared to score the match-winner, racing 80 metres, only for the TMO to find a knock-on earlier in the move. It was Wales’s first win over Australia since 2018.

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Ninth-place semi-finals

Italy 43-19 Georgia

Italy produced a sensational first-half performance to defeat hosts Georgia at the AIA Arena in Kutaisi on Monday. The Azzurrini scored all 43 of their points during the opening 40 minutes in a ruthless six-try display, with number eight Jaheim Wilson and fullback Pietro Celi both claiming doubles. Second-row Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi and winger Luca De Novellis also touched down before the interval, with Mattia Andretti landing six conversions and a penalty.

Georgia responded through Temuri Dzodzuashvili and Gabriel Razmadze either side of half-time before Giorgi Agniashvili scored in the final quarter to salvage some pride. Georgia had lost just one of their previous six Junior World Championship matches against Italy, but Andrea Di Giandomenico’s men were comprehensive winners. Italy will face Ireland in the ninth-place play-off, while Georgia take on Fiji for 11th place.

Ireland 24-19 Fiji

Ireland narrowly beat a spirited Fiji side at the AIA Arena in Kutaisi in a contest that was in the balance until the final whistle. Winger Daniel Ryan put Ireland ahead with a fine individual try in the 12th minute, chipping ahead and regathering down the left flank, but Fiji hit back two minutes later through the talismanic Isikeli Bari Ratu.

Diarmaid O’Connell restored Ireland’s advantage from the base of a scrum before Sailosi Vodonaivalu Taka’s try left it 14-12 at the break. James O’Leary extended Ireland’s lead in the second half, but Apete Gauna Rokosuka’s try ensured a tense finale. Fiji had a chance to win it at the end after Harry Waters was yellow-carded, but their five-metre lineout throw was not straight and Ireland held on.

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13th-place semi-finals

Japan 71-21 USA

Japan ended a 19-match losing run at the Junior World Championship with an impressive 11-try performance against USA at the AIA Arena in Kutaisi on Sunday. It was their first victory since a 2015 win over Samoa and the most points they have ever scored in a match at the tournament.

Rio Iwakura and Sota Miura both claimed hat-tricks, with Shinnosuke Uchida adding a brilliant brace — including a remarkable solo score where he broke from a scrum at halfback, chipped over the defence and regathered. Frank Finicle, Dane Mitchell and William Darbishire scored for a USA side still searching for their first-ever JWC victory, who had replacement prop Alfie Booth sent off late on.

“Our success at the lineout and in the scrum laid the foundation for today’s victory,” said Japan head coach Naoya Okubo. “With one match remaining, we want to grow even further and return to Japan as winners.”

Spain 57-6 Uruguay

Spain turned on the style with a dominant nine-try victory over Uruguay at the AIA Arena in Kutaisi on Sunday, ending a run of eight defeats dating back to their 2024 debut campaign. Versatile centre Oriol Marsinyac enhanced his growing reputation with two more tries to take his tournament tally to six in four games.

Unax Salvador, Daniel Chico and Iván Farace scored first-half tries before Marsinyac took centre stage after the break. Captain Marçal Carreras added a double, with Mauro del Campo and Alfonso Enciso also crossing to underline Spain’s superiority in the first-ever Junior World Championship meeting between the two sides.

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Finals weekend fixtures

Friday 17 July — AIA Arena, Kutaisi:

15th-place play-off: USA v Uruguay (18:00) | 13th-place play-off: Japan v Spain (20:30)

Friday 17 July — Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi:

7th-place play-off: Argentina v Australia (18:00) | 5th-place play-off: Scotland v Wales (20:30)

Saturday 18 July — AIA Arena, Kutaisi:

11th-place play-off: Georgia v Fiji (13:00) | 9th-place play-off: Italy v Ireland (15:30)

Saturday 18 July — Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi:

3rd-place play-off: New Zealand v England (18:00) | Final: France v South Africa (20:30)