World Rugby U20 Championship 2025: six talking points from match round 2

AUS 34-24 SCO: Wallabies edge past resurgent Scotland to restore pride

Australia bounced back from a humiliating defeat to South Africa to keep their hopes of a place in the semi-finals alive with a hard-fought win over an equally improved Scotland.

The Junior Wallabies drew first blood, scrum-half James Martens sniping over from a quick tap penalty. Scotland hit back through a Freddy Douglas try from a clever driving lineout move, before good hands from Australia’s backs resulted in wing Nick Conway diving over in the corner. Back came Scotland again, blindside flanker Oliver Duncan finishing off a well-worked move. But it was Australia who led 17-10 at half-time after hooker Lipina Ata crashed over the try line from short range.

Full-back Jed Findlay stretched over in the corner with Scotland’s first attack of the second half to draw the teams level. Then more great interplay resulted in Duncan getting his second try to put Scotland into the lead on the hour mark.

But Australia tightened up their play and it proved to be the difference, with unanswered tries from Martens, Finn Baxter and Will Guilfoyle – all following powerful forward play – giving them a bonus-point victory.

“We did not want that feeling again,” captain Eamon Doyle said of the 73-17 loss to South Africa. “We took that motivation into this game.”

FRA 35-21 WAL: France win game of two halves but déjà vu for Wales

Coach Richard Whiffin said Wales needed to take their chances after they agonisingly missed out to Argentina in their first game. And how they responded in the first half against France, with a clinical attacking display led by inspired fly-half Harri Wilde. France took the lead through scrum-half Baptiste Tilloles’ try before prop Sam Scott touched down under the posts following a series of pick-and-goes from the Welsh forwards. Then it was all about their backs. First Tom Bowen benefited from Jack Woods’ brilliant chip through, then Woods scored himself from another kick ahead to stretch the to lead 21-7 at half-time.

But France will have taken heart from keeping Wales scoreless when Les Bleuets were down to 14 men, and their forward power began to tell in the second half as Wales’ set-piece fell apart, compounded by the loss of replacement prop Louie Trevett to a 20-minute red card.

Tries from Edouard Jabea Njocke, Simeli Daunivucu, Xan Mousques and Bobby Bissu made it a another comfortable, if another unconvincing win for France in the end.

“At half-time we said we need to keep going, don’t change our gameplan,” captain Antoine Deliance said. [But against Argentina] we need to play better than we did in the first half.”

ENG 22-32 RSA: Boks bounce back to stun champions England

The reigning champions against the most impressive team of matchday one – on paper England v South Africa looked like the most mouthwatering match of the day. And it didn’t disappoint.

It was all England in the first quarter, Jonny Weimann and Connor Treacey finishing devastating team moves. But Cheswill Jooste inspired a Springboks revival, scoring one try and setting up another with an impressive turn of pace. Jack Bracken took advantage of a stray pass to put England back in front, before a stunning backs move was finished by Gilermo Mentoe to level the scores again.

The teams traded penalties either side of half time before Vusi Muyo’s long-range kick gave South Africa the lead for the first time. With the Springboks’ growing in confidence, Pead then scored stunning solo try and his team held on for the last half an hour, despite serious England pressure.

“We weren’t good enough, as simple as that,” said Red Roses captain Tom Burrow, his team now needing to rely on results elsewhere to reach the semi-finals and continue the defence of their title.

South Africa, meanwhile, are still on course to win their first World Rugby U20 Championship since 2012. “If we give everything, maybe we will come out on top,” said captain Riley Norton.

NZL 38-19 GEO: All Blacks back on track after early Georgia scare

Harlyn Saunoa starred as New Zealand had too much for fast-starting Georgia in Pool C. The wing provided two flying first-half finishes, after the Junior Lelos twice took the lead through their powerful forwards.

But Georgia couldn’t match the Junior All Blacks’ all-court game, which they rarely got to showcase in a hard-fought opening-game victory against Italy on Sunday.

Further tries from Xavier Treacy, Eli Oudenryn, Aisake Vakasiuola and Maloni Kunawave put a gloss on the scoreline before Georgia scored a consolation try through Mikheil Khakhubia as game fizzled out in the last 25 minutes.

“Our forward pack really stepped up today,” said New Zealand captain Dylan Pledger. “We showed glimpses of good footie. We just need to focus on ball security in what will be a tough game against Ireland.”

IRE 16-18 ITA: Italy send home fans home happy as Ireland fall short

In a game low on attacking flair but high on drama, Italy beat Ireland for the second time in a row for the first time in their history to send the 5,000 fans in Viadana wild and give the hosts an outside chance of qualifying for the semi-finals from Pool C.

Tries from Nelson Casartelli and Piero Gritti – both off the back of attacking lineouts – and the boot of Edoardo Todaro took Italy’s lead beyond a converted score but Ireland hit back through Mikey Yarr and Oisin Minogue, the latter’s injury-time try giving them a kick to level the scores. But Sam Wisniewski pulled his conversion attempt wide, leaving Ireland needing to beat New Zealand in their final game to have a chance of making the last four.

ARG 33-30 ESP: Pain for Spain as comeback kings Argentina strike again

Spain proved they are not at the World Rugby U20 Championship just to make up the numbers but fell agonisingly short of one of the biggest upsets in the tournament’s history, surrendering a 30-7 lead to Argentina, who rose from the dead for the second game in a row to win 33-30.

Spain scored four first-half tries – the pick of which was a chip and chase from centre Oriol Marsinyac Garcia – to put them in control at the interval.

But Argentina scored four second-half tries of their own, again asserting their superior forward power to set up a Pool B decider against France on Wednesday.

The third round of matches takes place on Wednesday, July 9.

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