All eyes will be on the Georgian cities of Tbilisi and Kutaisi on Tuesday with the World Rugby Junior World Championship 2026 semi-final places up for grabs and fans able to follow the action on RugbyPass TV where there is no local broadcaster.
There are several mouthwatering games as defending champions South Africa take on Wales in a Pool A decider, New Zealand face off against Italy for the right to top Pool B, while England and Argentina meet in Pool C and Australia and France do battle for top spot in Pool D.
Scotland are the only other team in contention to reach the semi-finals, although they need Italy to beat New Zealand without a bonus point and ensure the six-time champions don't pick up two bonus point in defeat to still be in the hunt when they kick-off against Japan. If that happens, a bonus-point win for Scotland is the minimim requirement then to also reach 11 points and then it will go down to points difference if three teams are tied on competition points. If only Scotland and Italy are on 11 points, the Scots will finish top on the head-to-head rule having beaten the Azzurrini 38-32 on day one.
From there the four pool winners will progress to the semi-finals to compete for the title and the other 12 teams will go on to compete for fifth to 16th place in the tournament depending on where they finish in the pool.
Ireland and USA open proceedings at Avchala Stadium at 13:00 local time (GMT+4), while New Zealand meet Italy in the first game at AIA Arena in Kutaisi.
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Pool A: South Africa v Wales 18:00, local time (GMT+4)
South Africa coach Kevin Foote has made six changes to his starting XV and two more on the bench for the pool decider in Tbilisi, where victory for either side will secure a semi-final spot.
Alzeadon Felix moves from the bench to start at full-back in place of Akahluwa Boqwana, while Ethan Adams returns from injury to take over at inside-centre from Markus Muller, who starts from the bench.
Khuthadzo Rasivhaga replaces Jack Benade on the left wing while Yaqeen Ahmed is available after suspension and will start at fly-half in place of Luan Giliomee, who suffered a concussion against Georgia last Thursday and is unavailable as he undertakes the return-to-play protocols.
The two changes in the pack see Risima Khosa come into the starting line-up at flanker and Vuyo Gwiji at number eight.
Foote said: “We want to continue building on our work ethic and battle-rate areas because we’re going to need that against a tough Welsh side that keeps fighting until the very end.
“Wales never go away. They are a gritty outfit and will provide a stern test. We've selected what we believe is a very competitive squad, and the players are fully focused and excited for what will be a decisive match for both teams. There is everything to play for.”
South Africa have won their last eight matches at the Junior World Championship – their longest-ever run at the tournament – and have played Wales three times in the annual showpiece. The Junior Springboks have claimed two wins, most recently in 2024 when they beat the Welsh 47-31 in the seventh place play-off.
Wales, meanwhile, followed up their close-fought opening-round victory over Georgia with a win against Uruguay and trail South Africa by just one point.
Coach Richard Whiffin has reverted to the side that beat hosts Georgia 25-24 with co-captain and blindside flanker Deian Gwynne and full-back Tom Bowen retained for the third successive game.
Wales have the opportunity to record a 100 per cent win rate in the pool stage for the first time since 2013 and for the fourth time overall (they also achieved the feat in 2008 and 2012).
“They are big and physical, and they want it to be a collision dominant based game – we know we have to front up,” said Whiffin.
Pool A: Georgia v Uruguay, 20:30 local time (GMT+4)
Hosts Georgia suffered their second successive defeat last time out, losing 33-5 to South Africa, and they have made seven changes to their side to face Uruguay.
Nikoloz Balanchivadze, David Archvadze and Gabriel Razmadze form a new front row with prop Levani Ezieshvili suspended following his red card for a dangerous tackle against the Junior Springboks. Andria Bilanishvili and Irakli Kolbaia also come into the pack.
Temuri Dzodzuashvili is handed the scrum-half jersey and Saba Natroshvili earns a wing berth as Georgia prepare to face Uruguay for the first time at the Junior World Championship.
The sides last met in the Junior World Rugby Trophy back in 2015, when Georgia won 46-12 in the pool stage before going on to lift the trophy and seal promotion to the top level where they have remained since.
The Junior Lelos have played three matches against South American opposition at the Junior World Championship – all against Argentina – and they have won the last two of those in 2017 and 2023.
Uruguay have lost each of their seven matches at the Junior World Championship, and are one of just two sides, along with the USA, yet to win match at the tournament.
They make eight changes for their game against Georgia with Dario Rodriguez, Felipe Costa, Ignacio Merli and Pedro Suarez coming into the pack.
Pierre Cotarmanac'h and Juan Francisco Pereira form a new half-back partnership while Alfonso Fernandez comes in on the wing and Joaquin Fresnedo at centre.
Pool B: New Zealand v Italy, 13:00 local time (GMT+4)
New Zealand coach Kane Jury has made seven changes to his matchday 23 to face Italy in Kutaisi for the right to top Pool B and earn a semi-final berth.
The starting forward pack remains unchanged after an impressive performance against Scotland last time out, where Jury’s side scored five tries to secure a bonus-point victory.
Oliver Guerin will make his first start of the tournament on the right wing, while Logan Williams moves onto the left wing in the only two alterations to the starting line-up. Five new players come onto the bench in Xavier Leota, James Moore, Finn McLeod, Boston Krone and Lautasi Etuale.
Scrum-half Charlie Sinton will captain the side in place of Haki Wisemen as New Zealand aim to maintain their 100 per cent winning record against Italy at the Junior World Championship.
New Zealand have won each of their three meetings with Italy at the tournament, although last year's encounter was a tight affair with hosts Italy losing 14-5.
Meanwhile, Italy coach Andrea Di Giandomenico has made just four changes to the side who beat Japan 41-25 last Thursday. Ettore Dinarte Patricio, Marco Spreafichi, Carlo Antonio Bianchi and Enoch Opoku Gyamfi have been brought into the pack, but the backline remains unchanged.
Following a convincing performance against Japan, Italy’s focus has shifted entirely to New Zealand and Di Giandomenico said: “It’s a highly stimulating match, both because of what is at stake and the quality of our opponents.
“The positive aspect is that, despite the opening-day defeat, our future remains in our own hands. The challenge might seem insurmountable, but these are the matches we all want to play. We have selected the 23 players we believe are best equipped to tackle this game effectively. We will see the response on the pitch.”
Pool B: Scotland v Japan 15:30 local time (GMT+4)
Scotland coach Fergus Pringle has made three changes from the side who lost to New Zealand in a close-fought encounter in Kutaisi last Thursday.
Campbell Waugh comes in for Alex Bryden in the centre and new Edinburgh Rugby Academy scrum-half Matthew Fick replaces Asa Stewart Harris, who drops to the bench. In the forwards Christian Lindsay switches from the back-row into the second row while Sam Byrd replaces Alfie Blackett.
Hooker Joe Roberts, who scored twice against New Zealand during last week’s 36-26 defeat, will captain the side, who will know before they kick-off if their chance of making the semi-finals is over or whether a bonus-point win will be enough to reach a first-ever semi-final.
Pringle said: “Last Thursday was a brilliant test for the group against New Zealand and there were areas of the performance that we took a lot of heart from.
“The never-say-die attitude from the team in that game was something I was very proud of. To score in the final moments showed that this group of players never give up and, coupled with the win over Italy, we go into Tuesday’s match with a lot of confidence but also a desire to right some of the things that could have gone better against New Zealand.
“We have full respect for the Japanese who we know will give us a stern test. We’ve made a few tweaks to the team which we thought was important given this is the third game in quick succession but consistency in a number of areas was key too as we want to continue the good work done in the first couple of games.”
Scotland and Japan have met just once at a Junior World Championship and that came in the pool stage in 2009 edition. The Scots won 12-7 in a game remains the lowest-scoring tournament encounter either side has been involved in.
Japan have never won a pool stage match at the Junior World Championship, losing each of their 20 such matches, and they have made seven changes to the side who lost 41-25 to Italy last Thursday.
There are five alterations to their starting pack with Keigo Aruga, Koshi Tsumura, Kanta Kawagoe, Masato Yanase and Taiga Yamazaki all coming into the side. There is a new half-back partnership in Keigo Sato and Yuki Kobayashi while centre Yura Morioka and winger Gentaro Sakata also earn starting roles.
Pool C: Ireland v USA 13:00 local time (GMT+4)
Ireland coach Andrew Browne has made 11 changes to face USA as his side look to end the pool stage with a win after defeats against England and Argentina.
Adam Cooper, Duinn Maguire and Blake McClean form a new front row, Sean Walsh comes into the second row while Charlie Keane and Ben Blaney are named in the back row, with the latter named as captain.
Charlie O’Shea comes in at fly-half while Johnny O’Sullivan, Sean David Walsh, Robert Carney and Daniel Green also earn starting roles in the backline.
Ireland have never faced USA at the Junior World Championship, with this match being the first time they have come up against North American opposition at the tournament.
USA dazzled with their attacking rugby during last Thursday’s encounter with England, scoring six tries in their 68-40 defeat, including a hat-trick for centre Dane Mitchell.
They make 10 changes to their side with prop Colin Donnelly, second-rows Lyndon Bailey and Tanielu Talaepa, and back-rows Liam Hill and Yiannis Efthymiopoulos all handed starting spots. Joseph Sarkees and Declan Cadden form a new half-back partnership while Finnian Love, Leo Keesler-Venables and Sialeafuhia Ofa also earn starts in the backline.
USA have lost each of their 12 matches at the Junior World Championship, including five matches against European opposition, while Ireland will be looking to avoid losing all three of their pool stage fixtures for the first time since 2018.
Pool C: Argentina v England 15:30 local time (GMT+4)
England coach Andy Titterrell has made 11 changes to his starting line-up as they look to top Pool C with victory over Argentina.
Titterrell, whose side have secured two bonus-point wins over Ireland and USA, has recalled Bath number eight Connor Treacey to his starting XV as captain, with only Oliver Scola, Seb Kelly, Tyler Offiah and Nick Lilley retaining their starting spots. On the replacements bench, loose-head prop Oliver Spencer returns to the matchday 23.
“We’re pleased with the outcome of the opening two matches,” said assistant coach Will Parkin. “But there’s been a real emphasis this week on how we can take our performances to another level across 80 minutes. We have made it hard for ourselves at points across both games and that's something we have addressed.
“This will be the first time this squad has faced Argentina, which will be a great experience for them in their rugby journeys and part of what is so good about this tournament for their long-term development.“Argentina is a proud rugby nation and have started the tournament well, which is an exciting opportunity for us.”
Argentina will be aiming to win all three pool matches at a Junior World Championship for just the third time after doing so in 2012 and 2016.
They have named an unchanged starting line-up, a testament to their fine form in the opening two games, as they look to build on emphatic wins against USA and Ireland.
Los Pumitas are the only team with a 100 per cent lineout success rate after two games and in Simon Pfister they the top try-scorer with five.
England, though, have won each of their four pool meetings with Argentina in the Junior World Championship.
Pool D: France v Australia 18:00 local time (GMT+4)
Australia coach Chris Whitaker has made eight changes for his side’s Pool D decider against France in Kutaisi, where the winners will advance to the semi-finals.
Kingbenjamin Swerling-Finaipepe and Lehopoame Leota, who both ply their trade in France, will get their first start together in the front row alongside regular hooker Ewald Kruger.
William Ross and Toby Brial continue their second-row partnership after strong performances in the win over Fiji. Luca Cleverley and captain Tom Robinson come back into the side after being rotated last week, with Eli Langi completing the back row.
There is only one change in the backline from Fiji, as Cooper Watters comes in on the wing to replace Taione Taka, who is absent due to concussion protocols. Backs Sam Blank and Charlie Bird are joined by potential debutant Riley Whitfeld, who joined the squad last week following Chayse Geros’ tournament-ending injury.
France have made nine changes as they look to make it three wins from three and seal a semi-final berth.
There is a new front row with props Matheo Frisach and Alexandre Langlois and hooker Gabin Garault coming into the side. Romeo Martin Bonnard and Baptiste Veschambre form a new second-row partnership while Elyjah Ibsaiene takes over from Lilian Baret at number eight.
In the backs, there are four changes with Alek Guillaud, Dylan Noudofinin Cazemajou, Adrien Drault and Baptiste Tilloles coming into the starting line-up.
France and Australia have met seven times previously at the Junior World Championship, with Les Bleuets winning four and the Junior Wallabies three. France came out on top 24-23 in their most recent meeting in the 2019 final in Argentina.
France have scored at least four tries in each of their last seven matches at the Junior World Championship, the longest ongoing run of any team currently, with Australia having the second longest such run with six matches.
Pool D: Spain v Fiji 20:30 local time (GMT+4)
Spain have made just three changes to their starting XV for the encounter with Fiji as both sides look to end the pool stage with a first victory of the tournament.
Marco Radizza and Marcal Carreras come into the pack with Jorge Garreta earning a wing spot, but Mateo Aragón begins a seven-match suspension after an independent disciplinary committee upheld a citing for racist verbal abuse in their loss to France last Thursday.
Spain have won just one of their 12 matches at the Junior World Championship, although that victory came in their only meeting with Fiji in the tournament, in the 11th place play-off in 2024 – a result which saw the Pacific Islanders relegated.
Los Leones U20 have scored four tries or more in each of their last three matches at the Junior World Championship – including five against France during their last outing.
Fiji make six changes with Sylvestre Vakauliafa, Ratu Osea Dasalusalu, Francis Peters and Isoa Koroinawai coming into the pack with Judah Draiva and Apete Gauna Rokosuka handed starts on the wings.
Fiji have won just two of their last 22 matches at the Junior World Championship, although both victories in that run came against European opposition, beating Scotland in 2019 and Italy in 2023.
They have lost their last 18 pool stage games at the Junior World Championship, with their last victory at this stage coming back in 2012 against Samoa when Samu Kerevi, who played 50 tests for Australia, scored two tries, gained 118 metres and beat seven defenders for Fiji.
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