Scotland vs Japan U20 Predictions - Scotland backed to beat Japan in their Pool B World Rugby U20 Championship clash

Nigel Williams

Editor

Last updated: 1 hour ago

Nigel Williams 1 hour ago

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Scotland are strong favourites to beat Japan U20.
Japan remain winless with a 20-match pool stage losing streak.
Best bet: Scotland to cover -20.5 handicap.

Scotland backed to beat Japan in their Pool B World Rugby U20 Championship clash (Getty Images)

Scotland vs Japan U20 Predictions

Scotland are favourites, entering the World Rugby U20 Championship with superior recent tournament form and having collected 6 points in Pool B following a tournament-opening win against Italy. Japan has lost both of the pool matches and is enduring a 20-match losing streak. My best bet is Scotland to cover the -20.5 handicap.

Scotland vs Japan U20 Predictions
Head to Head
Scotland U20 Form
Japan U20 Form
Team News

Scotland has won the only previous meeting against Japan.
Scotland lost 36-26 to New Zealand in their previous match.
Scotland has won 3 of their last 7 matches.
Japan lost 41-25 to Italy in their previous match.
Japan has lost the last 4 matches against tier-one teams.

Head to Head

Scotland has won the only previous meeting against Japan.

Scotland U20 Form

Despite a resilient comeback, Scotland lost 36-26 to New Zealand after trailing 17-7 at the break in their previous match.

Scotland had minimal success at this year's Six Nations U20 Championship. They defeated Italy 36-10 before losing 33-17 to England, 31-21 to Wales, 45-26 to France, and 47-14 to Ireland.

Before that, Scotland struggled at the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship. They lost 56-19 to England, 34-24 to Australia, and 73-14 to South Africa, and defeated Ireland 22-21 before losing to Georgia 22-7 to finish 12th overall.

Scotland, who sit third in Pool B, one point behind Italy, should overcome Japan and put themselves in contention for a semi-final spot.

Japan U20 Form

Japan lost 41-25 to Italy at the AIA Arena in Kutaisi, Georgia after trailing 17-11 at halftime. Japan fought hard throughout the second half, with Niwa contributing significantly through his kicking.

Despite Japan's persistent efforts to stay in the contest, the Italians dictated the pace of the game through their attack, ultimately proving too much to handle.

Japan has lost the last 4 matches against tier-one teams.

Japan are looking to end a 20-match losing streak in the pool stage of the World Rugby U20 Championship.

Team News

Scotland

Starting XV: 1 Oliver McKenna, 2 Joe Roberts, 3 Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, 4 Christian Lindsay, 5 Dan Halkon, 6 Sam Byrd, 7 Jack Utterson, 8 Harvey Preston, 9 Matthew Fick, 10 Jake Dalziel, 11 Nairn Moncrieff, 12 Henry Kesterton, 13 Campbell Waugh, 14 Dan Kelly, 15 Rory McHaffie.

Replacements: 16 Jamie Stewart, 17 Jamie McAughtrie, 18 Jackson Rennie, 19 Finlay Mather, 20 Oliver Finlayson-Russell, 21 Asa Stewart-Harris, 22 Alex Bryden, 23 Ewan Caven.

Japan

Starting XV: 1 Keigo Aruga, 2 Koshi Tsumura, 3 Kanta Kawagoe, 4 Masato Yanase, 5 Taiga Yamazaki, 6 Riku Fujikubo, 7 Kise Shin, 8 Akihiro Tsubone, 9 Keigo Sato, 10 Yuki Kobayashi, 11 Isa Fukada, 12 Yura Morioka, 13 Rio Iwakura, 14 Gentaro Sakata, 15 Ryuto Koga.

Replacements: 16 Sota Miura, 17 Songha Ri, 18 Keitatsu Motoyama, 19 Masato Hyakutake, 20 Chikara Fukuda, 21 Kohaku Suda, 22 Takeru Niwa, 23 Shinnosuke Uchida.

Verdict

Scotland U20 v Japan U20

Scotland are favourites with a superior recent tournament form, and are tipped to cover the -20.5 handicap.

Scotland -20.5

Handicap

@1.91 - 1 Unit

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