World Rugby U20 Championship 2025: match round 2 preview

Echegaray (FRA) and Bowen (WAL) ready to be gamebreakers

Head coach Richard Whiffin could barely hide his disappointment after Wales failed to capitalise on scoring a penalty try with the first play of the game then building a 17-point first-half lead, only to lose to Argentina in the opening game of the World Rugby U20 Championship 2025 in Pool B by conceding a late try. And Wales’ task doesn’t get any easier – they now face a France side who beat them 43-19 in last year’s pool phase and 63-19 in the 2025 U20 Six Nations.

Les Bleuets welcome the return of elusive outside back Jon Echegaray, who has been on club duty with Bordeaux-Begles, while Wales’ own flying winger Tom Bowen – who impressed off the wing against Argentina – will also be hoping to start.

However, it was Argentina’s forward power which finally told against Wales, so France – who only made four line-breaks in their comfortable victory against Spain – may see a similar approach as the best way to avoid an upset, something Wales proved they are well capable of after beating England in the Six Nations.
France v Wales, Pool B, 15:30 (CET)

Australia and Scotland look to bounce back after heavy defeats

Make no mistake: South Africa were good. Very good. But nobody, least of all Australia, would have been expecting a 73-17 defeat to the Junior Springboks in their opening game in Pool A, particularly after the Junior Wallabies had gone unbeaten in the recent Rugby Championship.

But any team that concedes 908 running metres is likely to be on the end of a heavy loss. “Embarrassing,” their captain Eamon Doyle called it. So the only way is up against a Scotland side who can at least take positives from their 59-19 defeat to England.

According to coach Kenny Murray, “soft tries” and “needless errors” cost Scotland in the second quarter, when they conceded three unanswered tries.

Recently promoted Scotland did at least start and finish the game well, and can play with the freedom of knowing that instant relegation is not a possibility with the tournament being expanded to 16 teams next year. They will also hope to welcome back co-captain and openside star Freddy Douglas, who missed the England game after suffering a concussion.
Australia v Scotland, Pool A, 15:30 (CET)

Can impressive Springboks pass the acid test against champions England?

It's hard to know what was more impressive: South Africa’s 11-try demolition of Australia – a perfect blend of forward power and devastating back play – or the fact that afterwards, captain Riley Norton spoke mainly of things the Junior Springboks could have done better and what aspects of their game they will need to improve to beat reigning champions England in their next match.

They certainly won’t lack for motivation, having lost to the Red Roses in the pool stage last year. They also need to shake of the tags of nearly men of the World Rugby U20 Championship. In 14 editions of the tournament, they have won just once, finished second once, but claimed the bronze medal an incredible nine times.

England, who will be without flanker George Timmins for the rest of the tournament due to suspension, played well in patches against Scotland, but also went scoreless for 30 second-half minutes, something they might need to address against the free-scoring Springboks.
England v South Africa, Pool A, 18:00 (CET)

Set-piece could be the key as Georgia look for first win against New Zealand

It was clinical New Zealand rather than classic New Zealand in their opening game against Italy, a try at each end of the first half – both against the run of play – enough to see off the spirited but limited hosts.

A slippery ball didn’t help the Junior All Blacks’, nor did conceding 12 penalties and eight turnovers. They will also be without replacement forward Randall Baker through suspension. Of most concern, though, will be a scrum that spent most of the game against Italy going backwards, particularly with set-piece-loving Georgia up next.

Georgia’s maul made far more metres (63) – joint with Argentina – than any other team during the first round of matches. This forward-dominated approach wasn’t quite enough to beat Ireland but they will take heart, along with two losing bonus points, into the game against New Zealand, a team they have never beaten at U20 level.
New Zealand v Georgia, Pool B, 18:00 (CET)

Spain search for more potency but powerful Argentina pack await

Spain enjoyed 50 per cent possession against France but, understandably for a team playing in just their second World Rugby U20 Championship, lacked penetration against the three-time champions.

They face another powerful forward pack in Argentina, whose domination of territory and possession finally told against Wales in match round 1, after earlier ill-discipline – 12 penalties conceded and two yellow cards – threatened to derail them.

Leading the charge in the loose and at scrum time will be Tomas Rapetti. Tipped as one of the stars of the tournament, the prop is playing in his third World Rugby U20 Championship and started this one with a bang, scoring two tries. He will join Toulouse in the close season.

This will be the first meeting between the two Spanish-speaking nations at U20 level.
Argentina v Spain, Pool B, 20:30 (CET)

Battle-hardened Ireland all set for Italy revenge mission

After a disappointing Six Nations, Ireland captain Eanna McCarthy admitted he was relieved after scraping past Georgia on matchday one. It was also the perfect preparation for the next match against Italy, who pose a similar threat at the scrum – just ask New Zealand, who coughed up several set-piece penalties.

McCarthy also warned that “Italy are going to bring another challenge; some faster backs and some more rugby”.

Not that the Azzurrini got to show much of it in the 14-5 defeat to New Zealand, their 77 passes the fewest of any team in match round 1, a combination of a tricky conditions and a limited gameplan.

Ireland comfortably won the game between the two teams at this stage of last year’s tournament but their defeat to Italy in the 2024 U20 Six Nations will be much fresher in the memory.
Ireland v Italy, Pool C, 20:30 (CET)

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