Italy vs Japan U20 Predictions - Italy to record their first win in a Pool B World Rugby U-20 Championship clash
Italy are strong favourites to secure their first win of the tournament in their U20 Pool B encounter with Japan, leveraging their flawless 5-0 head-to-head record. Italy recently lost narrowly to Scotland, while Japan fell to New Zealand after a weather-abandoned match. Despite recent struggles, Italy’s past dominance over Japan and overall team news point to them likely covering the -15.5 handicap. The key recommendation is backing Italy for a convincing victory.
- Italy leads Japan 5-0 in head-to-head U20 meetings.
- Both teams lost their opening matches; Italy narrowly to Scotland, Japan to New Zealand.
- Italy are favoured to win and cover the -15.5 handicap.
Italy to record their first win in a Pool B World Rugby U-20 Championship clash (Getty Images)
Italy vs Japan U20 Predictions
Italy are favourites after winning all five previous meetings. My best bet is Italy to cover the -15.5 handicap.
- Italy holds a perfect record against Japan with 5 wins from 5.
- Italy lost 38-32 to Scotland in their opening match.
- Italy have won 3 of their last 7 matches.
- Japan lost 38-21 to New Zealand in their opening match.
- Japan have lost 4 of their last 7 matches.
Head to Head
Italy holds a perfect record against Japan with five wins from five.
Italy U20 Form
Italy lost 38-32 to Scotland in their opening match at the AIA Arena after leading 19-14 at halftime. Scotland started strong, taking a solid early lead, but Italy fought back hard and dominated the set-piece. However Scotland's overwhelming pace and ability to capitalize on attacking opportunities gave them the edge to win the match.
Italy responded well with tries from Riccardo Casarin, Valerio Pelli, David Luisato, and Nikolaj Varotto alongside penalties and conversions from Francesco Braga and Mattia Andretti.
Italy struggled during the Six Nations U20 Championship in February. They lost 36-10 to Scotland, lost 30-27 to Ireland, 32-17 to France, and 37-17 to England, before beating Wales 20-13.
The Azzurrini had a decent tournament at the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship last year. They lost 14-5 to New Zealand, beat Ireland 18-16, drew 19-19 with Georgia, and lost 44-21 to Australia before defeating Wales 31-23 to finish seventh overall.
Italy will have the belief they can get the result against Japan in their Pool B match this weekend, having won all five previous meetings.
Japan U20 Form
Japan lost to New Zealand 38-21 in their opening Pool B match in Kutaisi, Georgia, after being tied at 21-21 at halftime. The match was officially abandoned in the 68th minute due to severe weather and a nearby lightning strike, with tournament officials confirming the score stands as a bonus-point victory for the Baby Blacks.
In 2024, the Junior Brave Blossoms competed in the World Rugby U20 Trophy. They thrashed Hong Kong 105-20, thumped Samoa 81-7, and lost 46-10 to Scotland before defeating Uruguay 75-22 to finish third overall.
Team News
Italy
Starting XV: 1 Christian Brasini, 2 Valerio Pelli, 3 Luca Trevisan, 4 Simone Fardin, 5 Fabio Salvanti, 6 Antony Italo Miranda, 7 Jaheim Noel Wilson, 8 Davide Sette, 9 Mattia Andretti, 10 Roberto Fasti, 11 David Luisato, 12 Riccardo Casarin, 13 Giacomo Falchetto, 14 Luca De Novellis, 15 Pietro Celi.
Replacements: 16 Ettore Dinarte, 17 Giacomo Messori, 18 Emiliano Mastropasqua, 19 Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi, 20 Marco Spreafichi, 21 Carlo Antonio Bianchi, 22 Nikolaj Varotto, 23 Edoardo Vitale.
Japan
Starting XV: 1 Songha Ri, 2 Sota Miura, 3 Haruto Sasaki, 4 Kotaro Kumagae, 5 Masato Hyakutake, 6 Riku Fujikubo, 7 Kise Shin, 8 Akihiro Tsubone, 9 Soshi Kataoka, 10 Takeru Niwa, 11 Isa Fukada, 12 Tsunehidemichi Fukuda, 13 Rio Iwakura, 14 Shinnosuke Uchida, 15 Ryuto Koga.
Replacements: 16 Seia Kawanai, 17 Keigo Aruga, 18 Kanta Kawagoe, 19 Taiga Yamazaki, 20 Masato Yanase, 21 Kohaku Suda, 22 Yuta Otabe, 23 Yura Morioka.
Verdict
Italy to record their first win at the tournament in a Pool B match against Japan, and are tipped to cover the -15.5 handicap.
Italy -15.5
Handicap
@1.90 - 1 Unit
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