U20 Six Nations champions France are the clear favourites in Kutaisi, but Australia bring serious Super Rugby pedigree and Spain have proven they can push the best. Fiji return after relegation in 2024, desperate to end a long pool-stage drought.

The fixtures

France v Fiji — AIA Arena, Kutaisi | Saturday 27 June | 18:00 local (16:00 CEST, 14:00 GMT)

Australia v Spain — AIA Arena, Kutaisi | Saturday 27 June | 20:30 local (18:30 CEST, 16:30 GMT, 02:30 AEST Sunday)

France v Fiji

France arrive in Georgia as genuine title contenders after a perfect U20 Six Nations campaign — five wins from five, capped by a 31-28 victory over England in the final round. Three-time champions and runners-up in 2024, Cédric Laborde’s side have finished in the top four in each of the last six editions and lost just two of their 18 pool matches since 2017. They are a side who know how to win tournaments.

Captain Lucas Andjisseramatchi leads from openside flanker, flanked by Raphaël Audebert and Elyjah Ibsaiene in a back row built for impact. Baptiste Tilloles and Diego Jurd form the half-back partnership, with the exciting centre pairing of Bastien Rasal and Timéo Frier tasked with shutting down the spaces Fiji love to exploit. Axel Guillaud starts at fullback, with Dylan Noudofinin Cazemajou and Hugo Avogadro on the wings.

The statistical case for France is compelling. At last year’s tournament they beat an average of 31.4 defenders per match — more than any other side — while missing the fewest tackles (15.6 per game). In the U20 Six Nations, they were the only team to make more than 30 line breaks (49 in total), conceding just 13, with nearly 43 per cent of those breaks resulting in a try.

Luka Keletaona, the highly-rated fly-half who signed for Toulon from Brive on a long-term deal earlier this year, provides quality cover from the bench and is considered one of France’s most exciting young playmakers.

Fiji return to the Junior World Championship after relegation in 2024, and their record at this level is a concern — 16 consecutive pool-stage defeats, with their last victory at this stage coming against Samoa in 2012. Their best-ever finish of sixth came in 2011 in Italy, their only other appearance on European soil. But Fijian rugby at any level is never predictable, and new coach Andrew Tui Osborne has bolstered the squad with France-based players.

Co-captains Isoa Koroinawai and Maleli Nauvasi lead a side that completed a recent tour of South Africa as preparation. France have won all five previous meetings at this level by at least 12 points, but Fiji’s ability to produce moments of individual brilliance means Les Bleuets cannot afford to switch off.

France: 15 Axel Guillaud, 14 Dylan Noudofinin Cazemajou, 13 Timéo Frier, 12 Bastien Rasal, 11 Hugo Avogadro, 10 Diego Jurd, 9 Baptiste Tilloles; 1 Mathéo Frisach, 2 Gabin Garault, 3 Maël Turpin, 4 Baptiste Veschambre, 5 Romeo Bonnard Martin, 6 Raphaël Audebert, 7 Lucas Andjisseramatchi (capt), 8 Elyjah Ibsaiene. Replacements: 16 Yanis Basse, 17 Edouard Jabea Njocke, 18 Alexandre Langlois, 19 Alban Portat, 20 Bobby Bissu, 21 Nathan Llaveria, 22 Luka Keletaona, 23 Diego Mascarenc.

Fiji: 15 Tevita Vuniwaqa Ledua, 14 Apete Gauna Rokosuka, 13 Maleli Nauvasi (co-capt), 12 Faimalaga Tuvalu, 11 Sevuloni Rakoto Sauleirogo Satala, 10 Isikeli Bari Ratu, 9 Epeli Rokosemani Vocea; 1 Sylvestre Vakauliafa, 2 Isaac Jacob Rauluni, 3 Raymond Navunikaba, 4 Ratu Apenisa Naevo, 5 Marley Chandra, 6 Setareki Turagacoke, 7 Mosese Tamaniceva Tuvasu Tabuakoto, 8 Isoa Koroinawai (co-capt). Replacements: 16 Ratu Osea Dasalusalu, 17 Marika Koroi, 18 Jehoshua Paul Serupepeli Ratulomai, 19 Savenaca Qabale, 20 Ravuama Jabez Samo, 21 Ratu Epeli Roseruvakula, 22 Netani Immanuel Shane Lesimaikimatuku, 23 Sailosi Vodonaivalu Taka.

Referee: Morgan White (Hong Kong China)

Australia v Spain

The evening match sees Australia’s Junior Wallabies open their campaign against a Spain side competing in their third consecutive Junior World Championship — a remarkable achievement for a nation whose rugby programme continues to develop rapidly.

Australia head coach Chris Whitaker has made several changes from the U20 Rugby Championship squad, most notably thrusting Queensland Reds star Treyvon Pritchard straight into the starting side at inside centre. The 19-year-old has turned heads during his debut Super Rugby Pacific season, making the majority of his appearances off the bench for the Reds and finishing the campaign with two tries. He is widely tipped for a Wallabies debut in the near future.

Pritchard forms an all-Queensland midfield alongside Taione Taka, with Leo Jaques ruled out with a hamstring injury. Tom Farr-Jones, nephew of 1991 Rugby World Cup-winning captain Nick Farr-Jones, makes his debut on the wing, with Sevens star Cooper Watters on the other flank. Captain Tom Robinson leads from openside flanker, and the squad includes 27 Super Rugby Pacific contracted players.

The bench features two notable additions from French club academies — Lehopoame Leota of Racing 92 and Kingbenjamin Swerling-Finaipepe of Castres. Their selection marks the first time Australian players have been picked for the Junior World Championship while contracted to overseas clubs rather than one of Australia’s four Super Rugby franchises. Sevens rising star Wallace Charlie, signed by the Western Force for 2027, also provides impact from the bench.

Australia have twice been Junior World Championship runners-up (2010 and 2019) and finished fifth last year in Italy. They lost to New Zealand and eventual champions South Africa in this year’s U20 Rugby Championship but beat Argentina 32-30 in their final match, showing they can compete with the best when the margins are fine.

Spain, coached by Ricardo Martinena, are in their third Junior World Championship and captain Marçal Carreras has set an ambitious target for his side. “Beating a tier one team and getting to the play-offs,” Martinena said of Spain’s objectives in Georgia. It is a bold aim, but not an unrealistic one — Los Leones pushed Argentina to within three points (33-30) and lost 35-25 to Wales last year, while a 38-37 defeat to Ireland in the 11th-place play-off required a 79th-minute try to deny them a famous win.

Carreras leads from number eight, with the experienced Daniel Chico at loosehead and Unax Salvador at openside. Half-backs Bernat Fernández and Alfonso Enciso direct operations, while fullback Telmo Fisher anchors the back three. Versatile back Oriol Marsinyac, who made his senior Spain debut in the Rugby Europe Championship earlier this year, provides quality cover from the bench.

Australia: 15 Chayse Geros, 14 Tom Farr-Jones, 13 Taione Taka, 12 Treyvon Pritchard, 11 Cooper Watters, 10 Finn Mackay, 9 Angus Grover; 1 Jacob Job, 2 Ewald Kruger, 3 Edwin Langi, 4 William Ross, 5 Kenneth Harris, 6 Luca Cleverley, 7 Tom Robinson (capt), 8 Eli Langi. Replacements: 16 Charles Hollyman, 17 Kingbenjamin Swerling-Finaipepe, 18 Lehopoame Leota, 19 Isaac Fonua, 20 TJ Talaileva, 21 Sam Blank, 22 Charlie Bird, 23 Wallace Charlie.

Spain: 15 Telmo Fisher, 14 Jorge Garreta, 13 Marcos López, 12 Carlos de la Fuente, 11 Pelayo Serrano, 10 Alfonso Enciso, 9 Bernat Fernández; 1 Daniel Chico, 2 Iván Farace, 3 Daniel Navarro, 4 Manex Pujana, 5 Marco Radizza, 6 Miguel Narvarte, 7 Unax Salvador, 8 Marçal Carreras (capt). Replacements: 16 Lucas Official, 17 Mauro Del Campo, 18 Solomon Ibeoba, 19 Unax Carballo, 20 Max Artigas, 21 Manuel Vázquez, 22 Mateo Antem, 23 Oriol Marsinyac.

Referee: Kevin Bralley (France)

Pool D outlook

France are the overwhelming favourites to win the pool, but the real intrigue lies in the battle for second place between Australia and Spain. The Junior Wallabies’ Super Rugby depth and the inclusion of overseas-based talent gives them an edge on paper, but Spain have shown repeatedly that they are capable of pushing higher-ranked sides to the final minutes.

The pool’s defining match could well be France versus Australia on 7 July, a fixture that could determine which side tops the group and goes through to the semi-finals. But Saturday’s opening fixtures will set the tone, and neither France nor Australia can afford a slow start.

Pool D continues on Thursday 2 July when France face Spain (13:00 local) and Australia take on Fiji (15:30 local).

The tournament’s pool of death kicks off at the Avchala Stadium in Tbilisi on Saturday, with three genuine title contenders — Argentina, England and Ireland — alongside newly-promoted USA in a group where every match matters.

The fixtures

Argentina v USA — Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi | Saturday 27 June | 13:00 local (06:00 ART, 05:00 EDT, 09:00 GMT)

England v Ireland — Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi | Saturday 27 June | 15:30 local (12:30 BST & IST, 11:30 GMT)

Argentina v USA

The day’s action in Tbilisi begins with Argentina — who matched their best-ever third-place finish last year — taking on a USA side returning to the Junior World Championship for the first time since 2013.

Los Pumitas arrive in Georgia in confident mood. They beat New Zealand 25-17 in this year’s U20 Rugby Championship and bring back six players from last year’s bronze medal campaign: Nicolás Cambiasso, Pedro Coll, Tomás Dande, Ramón Fernández, Bautista Lescano and Valentino Reggiardo. That core of experience, combined with a squad depth forged across Argentina’s competitive domestic unions, makes them a side no one will want to face in Pool C.

Captain Tomás Dande leads from blindside flanker, with Jerónimo Sorondo at openside and Basilio Cañas completing a dynamic back row. Federico Serpa starts at fly-half, while the centre pairing of vice-captain Pedro Coll and Ramón Fernández brings a blend of physicality and creativity. Fullback Simón Pfister anchors the back three alongside wings Bautista Lescano and Benjamín Ledesma Arocena.

Assistant coach Carlos Mohapp expressed confidence in Argentina’s preparation: “The team is in great shape and the preparation has been excellent to arrive in Georgia in the best possible condition. We are convinced that this squad has the game to dominate matches and impose ourselves from set piece. We believe the key points will be winning possession and dominating the gain line from there.”

“We’re improving the intensity in our play and we will play to our maximum, so we will try to play our best game,” added captain Dande.

Argentina have never reached a Junior World Championship final, but their trajectory is firmly upward. A comprehensive opening win against USA would set the platform for the two blockbuster pool matches that follow — Ireland on 2 July and England on 7 July.

USA return to this stage for the first time in 13 years, having earned promotion through the U20 Trophy pathway. Head coach Johannes Gericke prepared the squad in the humidity of Carolina before travelling to Georgia. Captain Spencer Huntley, the scrumhalf who plays at Hartpury College in England, required a waiver to represent the USA U20s as a 17-year-old and has since played for the USA U23s — an indication of the regard in which he is held within the American age-grade system.

“It’s huge, not only for us but the people back home,” Huntley said. “It’s an amazing opportunity to be back here again and a big key for us is to compete and not just participate in this tournament. Another big goal for us is to make sure that we have stronger performances, putting those on display.”

The step up from the U20 Trophy is significant, and USA face a baptism of fire against three sides who all finished in the top six last year. But Huntley’s squad have prepared with purpose and will be determined to make their mark.

Argentina: 15 Simón Pfister, 14 Bautista Lescano, 13 Ramón Fernández, 12 Pedro Coll (vice-capt), 11 Benjamín Ledesma Arocena, 10 Federico Serpa, 9 Valentino Reggiardo; 1 Fabrizio Cebrón, 2 Manuel Cuneo Camargo, 3 Bautista Salinas Mallea, 4 Joaquín Pascual Viale, 5 Bautista Benavides, 6 Tomás Dande (capt), 7 Jerónimo Sorondo, 8 Basilio Cañas. Replacements: 16 Nicolás Cambiasso, 17 Benjamín Farias Cerioni, 18 Federico Narváez, 19 Jeremy Annand, 20 Franco Marizza Mizawak, 21 Juan Preumayer, 22 Manuel Giannantonio, 23 Benjamín Ordiz Yujnovsky.

USA: 15 Gavin Holder, 14 Marco Lapierre, 13 Dane Mitchell, 12 Leo Keesler-Venables, 11 Sialeafuhia Ofa, 10 Declan Cadden, 9 Spencer Huntley (capt); 1 Oliver Kirk, 2 Sawyer Troupe, 3 Tyler Trower, 4 Pierce Kelly, 5 Lyndon Bailey, 6 Jayden Williams, 7 Yiannis Efthymiopoulos, 8 Papaseea Matelau. Replacements: 16 Aidan Stewart, 17 Colin Donnelly, 18 Alfie Booth, 19 Tanielu Talaepa, 20 Franck Finicle, 21 Liam Hill, 22 Joseph Sarkees, 23 William Darbishire.

Referee: Saba Makharadze (Georgia)

England v Ireland

The afternoon fixture is the standout match of Round 1 across all four pools. Six Nations rivals England and Ireland meet in a clash that could go a long way to determining who tops Pool C and advances to the semi-finals.

England are the tournament’s most consistent force — 12 semi-finals from 15 editions, 10 final appearances and four titles — but a sixth-place finish last year was a sobering reality check. Head coach Andy Titterrell has named Bath number eight Connor Treacey as captain for his 13th U20 cap, and hands full debuts to Northampton Saints’ Hugh Shields at fly-half, Saracens wing Zac Finch and Saracens loosehead Alan Poku.

The squad has a strong Premiership core. Nick Lilley of Exeter Chiefs is the most experienced back with 14 caps, matched by Harlequins scrumhalf Lucas Friday. Harlequins provide four starters in all, with Jimmy Staples, Elliot Williams and Tate Williams all set for first Junior World Championship appearances alongside the starting halfback.

“This fixture marks an important step in our ongoing development as a squad,” Titterrell said. “We’re committed to providing the right level of support to help this group grow, continue building strong connections on and off the field, and most importantly, ensuring they enjoy the experience while representing England.”

Treacey himself emphasised the importance of sustained performance: “The obvious answer is consistency over five games. A few of the lads here have mentioned the turnaround between the games. But for us, consistency, performances over 80 minutes, is hopefully going to give us what we all want to achieve.”

England warmed up with a 54-38 win over Leicester Tigers U23s before losing 24-19 to Italy U20 in a friendly in Calvisano — a result that will have sharpened their focus heading into Georgia.

Ireland slumped to 11th last year but bounced back emphatically in the U20 Six Nations, winning four of five matches to claim the Triple Crown and finish runners-up to France. The defeat to Les Bleuets still rankles, and captain Sami Bishti — who leads from tighthead prop — made no secret of its motivating effect.

“If you look back to the France game, it definitely still stings within the group,” Bishti said. “It’s something we’re looking to use as momentum and a bit of motivation going into this campaign. We finished off the competition well and were lucky enough to get the Triple Crown, but we know as a group that we had more to bring.”

Head coach Andrew Browne has named a Munster-flavoured half-back pairing of Christopher Barrett and Charlie O’Shea, with Rob Carney of Cashel and Munster at outside centre. Leinster dominate the pack, with Max Doyle, Rian Handley and captain Bishti in the front row and both second rows — Donnacha McGuire and Dylan McNeice — also attached to the province. Connacht number eight Diarmaid O’Connell completes a balanced loose trio alongside Josh Neill and Ben Blaney.

Among the replacements, Munster fly-half Tom Wood — who became a third-generation Munster player when he debuted in January — provides quality cover at 10.

“We’re incredibly grateful to be here as a group and as a squad,” Bishti added. “We understand the nature of the competition — the five-day turnaround and how difficult that can be — but I think our preparation is going to set us up well for that. We’re incredibly excited.”

England: 15 James Pater, 14 Zac Finch, 13 Nick Lilley, 12 Will Knight, 11 Sam Winters, 10 Hugh Shields, 9 Lucas Friday; 1 Alan Poku, 2 Jimmy Staples, 3 Ollie Streeter, 4 Elliot Williams, 5 Aiden Ainsworth-Cave, 6 Tate Williams, 7 Seb Kelly, 8 Connor Treacey (capt). Replacements: 16 Jerold Gorleku, 17 Oliver Spencer, 18 Sonny Tonga’uiha, 19 Patrick Hogg, 20 Jack Lewis, 21 George Newman, 22 Finn Keylock, 23 George Pearson.

Ireland: 15 Noah Byrne, 14 Charlie Molony, 13 Rob Carney, 12 James O’Leary, 11 Daniel Ryan, 10 Charlie O’Shea, 9 Christopher Barrett; 1 Max Doyle, 2 Rian Handley, 3 Sami Bishti (capt), 4 Donnacha McGuire, 5 Dylan McNeice, 6 Josh Neill, 7 Ben Blaney, 8 Diarmaid O’Connell. Replacements: 16 Duinn Maguire, 17 Adam Cooper, 18 Jamie Conway, 19 Paddy Woods, 20 Alex Lautsou, 21 James O’Dwyer, 22 Tom Wood, 23 Jack Deegan.

Referee: Ben Connor (Wales)

Pool C outlook

This is the group where the margins will be thinnest and the consequences most severe. Argentina’s set-piece prowess and momentum from the U20 Rugby Championship, England’s unmatched knockout pedigree and Ireland’s Six Nations form make this a three-way fight for two meaningful positions — first and second. Only the pool winner advances to the semi-finals, while second place earns a shot at the fifth-to-eighth bracket.

Saturday’s England-Ireland clash is effectively a quarter-final in disguise. The loser will need to beat both Argentina and USA — and likely do so with a bonus point — to have any chance of topping the pool. It is the kind of fixture that can define a tournament campaign before it has barely begun.

USA will face a steep challenge across all three pool matches, but captain Huntley’s insistence that his side are here to compete rather than participate suggests they will not roll over for anyone.

Pool C continues on Thursday 2 July when Argentina face Ireland (15:30 local) and England take on USA (18:00 local).

Record six-time champions New Zealand begin their quest to reclaim the title they last won in Georgia in 2017, while Italy and Scotland renew their U20 Six Nations rivalry at the AIA Arena in Kutaisi.

The fixtures

Italy v Scotland — AIA Arena, Kutaisi | Saturday 27 June | 13:00 local (10:00 BST, 09:00 GMT)

New Zealand v Japan — AIA Arena, Kutaisi | Saturday 27 June | 15:30 local (23:30 NZST, 20:30 JST, 11:30 GMT)

Italy v Scotland

Pool B’s opening fixture is a rematch of a U20 Six Nations encounter earlier this year, and both sides will view this as a must-win match if they are to harbour any hopes of challenging New Zealand for the pool’s top spot.

Italy head coach Andrea Di Giandomenico names captain Riccardo Casarin at inside centre, the all-action midfielder who topped both the jackal count (10) and dominant contact stats (15) across the entire U20 Six Nations earlier this year. The Azzurrini reached a best-ever seventh-place finish on home soil last year, including a famous 18-16 victory over Ireland and a thrilling 19-19 draw with Georgia in the pool stage, and will be determined to prove that was no anomaly.

Francesco Braga starts at fly-half with Nikolaj Varotto at scrumhalf, while Jaheim Noel Wilson and Antony Italo Miranda provide athleticism in the back row either side of number eight Davide Sette. Lock Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi adds physical presence, and the back three of Alessandro Ragusi, Luca Rossi and David Luisato offers pace out wide.

Italy have an uncomfortable history with relegation battles at this level — they found themselves in the relegation play-off five times between 2011 and 2016 and dropped into the U20 Trophy in 2013 — but recent trajectory is firmly upward. A strong opening result against Scotland would set the tone.

Scotland head coach Fergus Pringle has named co-captains Joe Roberts and Ross Wolfenden to lead the side in Kutaisi. Hooker Roberts packs down in the front row alongside loosehead Jamie Stewart and tighthead Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, while Dan Halkon returns to the second row for a second consecutive Junior World Championship.

The back division features several intriguing selections. Matthew Fick earns a first full Scotland U20 start at scrumhalf, lining up alongside fly-half Jake Dalziel, whose star has been rising sharply. The Melrose product started all five matches during the U20 Six Nations, made the four-man shortlist for player of the tournament, and has since signed a full-time rookie contract with the Newcastle Red Bulls.

Henry Kesterton returns at outside centre after injury curtailed a bright start to the Six Nations, while Dan Kelly makes his full debut on the right wing. The replacements bench is loaded with six forwards, reflecting Scotland’s intent to match Italy’s physicality.

“The players have worked really hard in the lead up to the Junior World Championship which is the ultimate test in age grade international rugby,” Pringle said. “We know the challenge that lies ahead, and the group are determined to rise to the occasion in what will be a very tough contest against a strong Italian team.”

Scotland returned to the top table last year as U20 Trophy winners but found the step up brutal, losing all three pool matches before a spirited win over Ireland in the ninth-place semi-final. They finished 10th and will be desperate to improve on that showing. Their highest-ever finish of fifth came in 2017 — the last time the tournament was held in Georgia.

Italy: 15 Alessandro Ragusi, 14 Luca Rossi, 13 Luca De Novellis, 12 Riccardo Casarin (capt), 11 David Luisato, 10 Francesco Braga, 9 Nikolaj Varotto; 1 Christian Brasini, 2 Valerio Pelli, 3 Erik Meroi, 4 Simone Fardin, 5 Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi, 6 Antony Italo Miranda, 7 Jaheim Noel Wilson, 8 Davide Sette. Replacements: 16 Ettore Dinarte, 17 Emiliano Mastropasqua, 18 Luca Trevisan, 19 Marco Spreafichi, 20 Carlo Antonio Bianchi, 21 Mattia Andretti, 22 Roberto Fasti, 23 Giacomo Falchetto.

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

Referee: Robbie Jenkinson (Ireland)

New Zealand v Japan

The afternoon fixture sees the pool’s heavyweight open their campaign against a Japan side still searching for a first pool-stage win in 18 attempts at this level.

New Zealand have won this tournament a record six times — including the first four editions between 2008 and 2011 — but have not lifted the trophy since 2017, the last time Georgia hosted. That side contained the likes of Will Jordan, Caleb Clarke, Luke Jacobson and Asafo Aumua, and the class of 2026 will be keen to write their own chapter.

Head coach Kane Jury has named midfielder Haki Wiseman as captain, with openside Caleb Woodley and halfback Charlie Sinton as vice-captains. The squad features two All Blacks Sevens players in loose forward Bradley Tocker and wing Kele Lasaqa, the latter arriving in Georgia on a high after being named the men’s SVNS Rookie of the Year following a maiden season with the national sevens programme. Fly-half Mika Muliaina — son of former All Black Mils Muliaina — starts at 10, while brothers Max and Micah Fale pack down together at lock and number eight respectively.

“We’ve had a strong preparation here in Georgia and are feeling positive ahead of the first match,” Jury said. “We’ve had a week to adapt to the heat and the facilities here in Georgia have been excellent. We expect a tough first up match against Japan, who we expect to be very well drilled and play a fast paced game, so we’ll need to be at our best.”

New Zealand finished as runners-up to South Africa at both last year’s tournament and this year’s U20 Rugby Championship, where a thrilling 29-29 draw at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium was not enough to deny the Junior Springboks the title. Patrick Mauga is the notable absentee through injury. Wiseman said the squad can draw on the legacy of 2017 as motivation.

“As the weeks go on, we will definitely tap in to the history and legacy which they created here,” the captain said. “We want to try and defend that.”

Japan head coach Naoya Okubo has named inside centre Tsunehidemichi Fukuda as captain for a side that toured New Zealand in preparation for this tournament. The 19-year-old emerged as one of Japan’s finest young prospects earlier this year when he was vice-captain of the Japan High Schools side that secured a first-ever victory over England U19 in Oxford. The tour of New Zealand produced a narrow 33-31 defeat in the opening match before heavier losses, but should have provided invaluable preparation for what awaits in Kutaisi.

“We’re coming into the tournament well prepared after our forwards’ training camp in February, our sessions with League One teams and the JAPAN XV, and our tour to New Zealand,” Okubo said. “The guys have been giving 100% every day to prepare for our opening match, while also enjoying their time together in Georgia. The atmosphere and mood among the squad is excellent.”

Japan’s record at this level is sobering — 16 consecutive defeats since a 2015 victory over Samoa — and they have never won a pool-stage match in 18 attempts. But Okubo’s side have prepared thoroughly and will look to use their pace and structure to test New Zealand early.

New Zealand: 15 Logan Williams, 14 Kele Lasaqa, 13 Siale Pahulu, 12 Haki Wiseman (capt), 11 David Lewai, 10 Mika Muliaina, 9 Charlie Sinton (vice-capt); 1 Henry Stuart, 2 Josh Findlay, 3 Dane Johnston, 4 Max Fale, 5 Jake Frost, 6 Bradley Tocker, 7 Caleb Woodley (vice-capt), 8 Micah Fale. Replacements: 16 Alani Fakava, 17 Ethan Webber, 18 Alex Hewitt, 19 Johnny Falloon, 20 Kobe Brownlee, 21 Jackson Hughan, 22 Cohen Norrie, 23 Ollie Guerin.

Japan: 15 Ryuto Koga, 14 Shinnosuke Uchida, 13 Rio Iwakura, 12 Tsunehidemichi Fukuda (capt), 11 Isa Fukada, 10 Takeru Niwa, 9 Soshi Kataoka; 1 Song Ha Ri, 2 Sota Miura, 3 Haruto Sasaki, 4 Kotaro Kumagae, 5 Masoto Hyakutake, 6 Riku Fujikubo, 7 Kise Sin, 8 Masato Yanase. Replacements: 16 Seia Kawanai, 17 Keigo Aruga, 18 Kanta Kawagoe, 19 Taiga Yamazaki, 20 Chikara Fukunda, 21 Keigo Sato, 22 Yuki Kobayashi, 23 Gentaro Sakata.

Referee: Luke Rogan (USA)

Pool B outlook

New Zealand are strong favourites to top the group and advance to the semi-finals, but the battle between Italy and Scotland for second place could be one of the most compelling sub-plots across all four pools. Italy’s upward trajectory under Di Giandomenico and the steeliness of captain Casarin make them slight favourites, but Scotland’s fighting spirit and the influence of Dalziel at fly-half give them a genuine chance.

Japan face a steep learning curve, but their thorough preparation — including three matches in New Zealand — means they will not be pushovers, and their fast-paced style could cause problems for sides who take them lightly.

Pool B continues on Thursday 2 July when New Zealand face Scotland (18:00 local) and Italy take on Japan (20:30 local).