U20 Six Nations champions France will aim for a fourth Junior World Championship title and are joined by Australia, Spain and newly-promoted Fiji in an intriguing Pool D at the World Rugby Junior World Championship 2026 in Georgia.
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FRANCE
Best finish: Champions (2018, 2019, 2023)
2025 ranking: Fourth
This year's U20 Six Nations: Champions (W5, D0, L0)
Overview: France head to Georgia in buoyant mood after winning the U20 Six Nations in style earlier this year. Just like their senior team, France’s U20 showed their class by lifting the trophy, having won all five of their matches and beaten England 31-28 in the last game. Joachim Senga Kouo was crowned the 2026 U20 Men’s Six Nations Player of the Championship after starring in Les Bleuets’ title-winning campaign. Lifting the trophy was a ringing endorsement of Cédric Laborde’s side as they look to go all the way in Georgia. France, a hugely passionate rugby nation, were Junior World Championship runners-up in 2024 and finished fourth last year after being edged out 38-35 by Argentina in a thrilling third place play-off. France, typically, look well placed to go deep in this tournament and few would bet against them going all the way and winning their fourth title.
Coach: Cédric Laborde
Captain: Lucas Andjisseramatchi
Squad: Lucas Andjisseramatchi, Raphaël Audebert, Lilian Baret, Yanis Basse, Romeo Bonnard Martin, Mathéo Frisach, Gabin Garault, Elyjah Ibsaiene, Edouard-Junior Jabea Njocke, Alexandre Langlois, Elia Masi, Léo Michaux, Alban Portat, Zak Price, Maël Turpin, Baptiste Veschambre, Dylan Cazemajou-Noudofinin, Timéo Frier, Alex Guillaud, Valentin Hutteau, Diego Jurd, Luka Keletaona, Tom Levêque, Nathan Llaveria, Diego Mascarenc, Bastien Rasal, Melvyn Rates, Baptiste Tilloles, Quentin Valentino.
Player to watch: Luka Keletaona (pictured)
The fly-half is universally regarded as one of France’s most promising young playmakers and signed for Toulon from Brive on a long-term deal earlier this year. Keletaona, one of Les Bleuets’ vice-captains along with Elyjah Ibsaiene, helped his country to retain the U20 Six Nations crown in March.
Did you know? France and South Africa played out the first draw in the pool stage of a Junior World Championship in 2017, the Junior Springboks converting a last-gasp try to salvage a 23-23 draw in Tbilisi.
Pool fixtures:
Saturday, 27 June: France v Fiji (Kutaisi, 18:00 local time, GMT+4)
Thursday, 2 July: France v Spain (Kutaisi, 13:00 local time)
Tuesday, 7 July: France v Australia (Kutaisi, 18:00 local time)
AUSTRALIA
Best finish: Runners-up (2010, 2019)
2025 ranking: Fifth
This year's U20 Rugby Championship: Fourth (W1, D0, L2)
Overview: Australia’s squad includes 27 players in Super Rugby Pacific programmes, two Australia Sevens stars and two overseas players. It features Zach Fittler, son of rugby league legend Brad Fittler, and Tom Farr-Jones, nephew of Rugby World Cup 1991 winning captain Nick Farr-Jones. Queensland Reds flanker Tom Robinson will retain the captaincy from the U20 Rugby Championship, when Chris Whitaker’s side finished bottom of the pile but only on points difference. They lost to New Zealand and eventual winners South Africa but claimed a close-fought 32-30 win over Argentina in their final game. Now the Junior Wallabies will go in search of a maiden Junior World Championship title, having twice finished runners-up with their last three tournaments seeing finishes of fifth, sixth and fifth again in Italy last year.
Coach: Chris Whitaker
Captain: Tom Robinson
Squad: Ewald Kruger, Eli Langi, Chayse Geros, Edwin Langi, Matthew Sauao, Isaac Fonua, Toby Brial, Luca Cleverley, Marshall Le Maitre, TJ Talaileva, Angus Grover, Sam Blank, Jonty Fowler, Zach Fittler, Leo Jaques, Charlie Bird, Tom Farr-Jones, Jacob Job, Charles Hollyman, John Grenfell, Kenneth Harris, William Ross, Tom Robinson, Finn Mackay, Taione Taka, Treyvon Pritchard, Cooper Watters, Wallace Charlie, Kingbenjamin Swerling-Finaipepe, Lehopoame Leota.
Player to watch: Treyvon Pritchard
The talented outside-back has produced a series of eye-catching performances for the Queensland Reds in his debut Super Rugby season. The 19-year-old made the majority of his appearances off the bench, but was also handed starts at full-back and on the wing, and finished the year with two tries. He is tipped to make his Wallabies debut in the not-too-distant future as his reputation continues to grow.
Did you know...? The inclusion of Kingbenjamin Swerling-Finaipepe and Lehopoame Leota marks the first time an Australian player has been selected for the Junior World Championship while contracted to an overseas club and not one of Australia’s four Super Rugby franchises.
Pool fixtures:
Saturday, 27 June: Australia v Spain (Kutaisi, 20:30 local time)
Thursday, 2 July: Australia v Fiji (Kutaisi, 15:30 local time)
Tuesday, 7 July: France v Australia (Kutaisi, 18:00 local time)
SPAIN
Best finish: 11th (2024)
2025 ranking: 12th
Overview: Spain are taking part in their third World Rugby Junior World Championship after making their debut in South Africa in 2024. Los Leones U20 finished 11th in their maiden tournament and then 12th last year. This, though, is a Spain team making significant strides in their development, with close-fought defeats at the hands of Argentina (33-30) and Wales (35-25) underlying the talent and tenacity within their ranks. They lost 43-12 to Georgia in the ninth place semi-final but produced a stirring display against Ireland in the 11th place play-off, losing 38-37. It took a 79th-minute try from Ireland hooker Henry Walker, his second of the game, to rescue the win after Spain looked like pulling off a shock victory but defeat did not mean relegation given the expansion to 16 teams for 2026. Spain left Italy with their pride intact, and their reputation arguably enhanced, as they now prepare to take on Australia, France and Fiji in a formidable-looking Pool D.
Coach: Ricardo Martinena
Co-captains: Marçal Carreras
Squad: Daniel Chico Ayo, Lucas Official, Iván Farace, Mauro Del Campo, Joan Barcenilla, Solomon Ibeoba, Daniel Navarro, Alejandro Iglesias, Manex Pujana, Max Artigas, Marco José Radizza, Unax Carballo, Bosco Vilallonga, Miguel Narvarte, Unax Salvador, Marçal Carreras, Rocky Kenneally, Bernat Fernández, Manuel Vázquez, Mateo Antem, Alfonso Enciso, Carlos de la Fuente, Iñigo Rapallo, Oriol Marsinyac, Marcos López, Jorge Garreta, Malakai Hafoka, Pelayo Serrano, Telmo Fisher, Mateo Aragón.
Player to watch: Oriol Marsinyac
A centre who can also play back row and was highly impressive in last year's Junior World Championship in Italy, Marsinyac has gone on to make his senior international debut in the 2026 Rugby Europe Men's Championship. He scored a try to help Spain to a 53-14 victory over Switzerland in February.
Did you know...? Spain only played in the World Rugby U20 Trophy twice, reaching the final on both occasions, suffering extra-time heartache against Samoa in 2016 before beating Uruguay to win the title in 2023 and earn promotion to the highest level.
Pool fixtures:
Saturday, 27 June: Australia v Spain Kutaisi, 20:30 local time, GMT+4)
Thursday, 2 July: France v Spain (Kutaisi, 13:00 local time)
Tuesday, 7 July: Spain v Fiji (Kutaisi, 20:30 local time)
FIJI
Best finish: Sixth (2011)
Overview: Fiji are back on the biggest stage for the first time since they were relegated in 2024, earning a return as part of the expansion to 16 teams in 2026. With new coach Andrew Tui Osborne at the helm, Fiji recently returned from a challenging yet rewarding 2026 U20 International Series in South Africa, where they faced tough opposition. Fiji narrowly lost to Georgia, and fell to hosts South Africa, but finished the campaign on a positive note with a victory over Chile. Osborne described the series, which ran between 21-30 May, as “an important learning experience that provided valuable insights ahead of the global tournament in Georgia”. A major boost to the squad has been the inclusion of several France-based players, who have joined camp ahead of the championship. Osborne sees their arrival as an added depth and experience to the team, while also strengthening the connection between Fiji’s traditional style of play and the structured approach developed through European rugby academies.
Coach: Andrew Tui Osborne
Captain: Isoa Koroinawai
Squad: Marika Koroi, Ratu Osea Dasalusalu, Jehoshua Ratulomai, Apenisa Naevo, Setareki Turagacoke, Mosese Tabuakoto, Isoa Koroinawai, Ratu Epeli Roseruvakula, Cale Maurice, Iskeli Bari, Apete Rokosuka, Sailosi Taka, Maleli Navauvasi, Sevuloni Satala, Savenaca Durusolo, Isaac Rauluni, Raymond Navunikaba, Marley Chandra, Savenaca Qabale, Ravuamo Samo, Epeli Vocea, Netani Lesimaikimatuku, Tevita Ledua, Timoci Gadolo, Sylvester Vakauliafa, Francis Peters, Faimalaga Tuvalu, Suliano Savenaca, William Tawakedina, Judah Draiva
Player to watch: Isoa Koroinawai
The former Queen Victoria School student is a rated highly and noted for his outstanding leadership skills, hence his appointment as captain. Head coach Andrew Tui Osborne said of the imposing forward: “Isoa is a leader on and off the field. He is a man of few words, but when he speaks, the boys listen and respect him.”
Did you know...? Fiji's highest placing in the Junior World Championship is sixth, achieved in 2011 in Italy after wins over Tonga and Wales. However, the tournament didn't finish well for Fiji with a 104-17 loss to South Africa!
Pool fixtures:
Saturday, 27 June: France v Fiji (Kutaisi, 18:00 local time, GMT+4)
Thursday, 2 July: Australia v Fiji (Kutaisi, 15:30 local time)
Tuesday, 7 July: Spain v Fiji (Kutaisi, 20:30 local time)
Watch the World Rugby Junior World Championship on RugbyPass TV or your local rights-holding broadcaster. Click here to find your local broadcaster.
Photo: France Rugby / Julien Poupart