World Rugby U20 Championship Japan vs Italy Preview

Japan’s U20s head into their final match of the World Rugby U20 Championship against Italy in South Africa on Friday 14th July, playing to avoid relegation to the Trophy tournament in 2024.

Japan came into the tournament as the lowest-ranked side, and following the squad announcement by Head Coach Rob Penney of all university players, they would always be in for a steep challenge. Without a win so far, they have shown some positive glimpses but the stats don’t lie – Japan have been among the poorest tacklers and least clinical side at the Championships.

Italy, off the back of a famous win against the hosts South Africa, will be disappointed to find themselves also playing for Championship survival.

Yoshiki Omachi, Captain said of the encounter, “We’re taking on Italy in the relegation match so of course it’s extremely important that we correct mistakes made so far”. To add to the difficulties, Toru Kurihara has taken on the head coach duties as Head Coach Rob Penney returned to New Zealand for personal reasons.

The two teams have faced each other three times previously, with the Europeans always coming out on top. In the 2023 Championship, both sides have made the fewest carries and metres and are the bottom two-try scoring sides in SA – Japan (with 10) and Italy with 12 tries.

Italian Head Coach Massimo Brunettlo said of playing Japan in the 11th-place play-off, “We’re expecting a tough game against Japan, both for the value of the opponent and for what is up for grabs. Clearly, we have our destiny in our hands right now, but only the real Italy will be able to fully play it as it has been in the last two Six Nations, and as we saw at its highest level against South Africa in this tournament.”

Of the threat Japan poses, he added, “Japan are a team that knows how to play rugby, very well organised, counting on players that from a technical point of view are all at a very good level, and we’ll have to play our best rugby to turn our efforts into a good result and keep our place in the Championship.”

Japan are unfortunately on a 15-match losing streak at the U20 Championship, dating back to 2015 and will potentially become the first team to be relegated four times from the U20 Championship.

Irishman Eoghan Cross is the match referee.

Japan U20 Squad – vs Italy Friday 14th July 2023

You can see more on the squad selected by the JRFU here.

There are three personnel and one positional switch in the forwards for Friday’s relegation play-off against Italy and Takashi Omoto replaces Kota Nagashima at hooker, Kantaro Tajima starts over Harry Willard in the second row and Taison Mogami starts at number eight, with Tenta Kobayashi to move to blindside flanker. The Japan U20s backline is unchanged.

Italy U20 Squad – vs Japan Friday 14th July 2023

Italy coach Massimo Brunello has made six personnel and four positional changes to the starting line-up from the loss to Fiji.

Image Credit: Italy Rugby Federation

How To Watch the World Rugby U20 Championship 2023

World Rugby has confirmed that matches will be broadcast via its online platforms in countries without a local broadcast partner.

World Rugby U20 Championship Tournament News 2023

• World Rugby U20 Championship 2023 – Complete Guide.
• Japan World Rugby U20 Championship 2023 Squad.
• World Rugby U20 Championship Japan vs New Zealand Preview.
• World Rugby U20 Championship Japan vs Argentina Preview.