Today marks the culmination of the pool stage of the World Rugby U20 Championship, featuring an intense lineup of matches. Teams will compete for a coveted spot in the semi-finals during the six-match programme taking place today.
Athlone will host three matches, with Ireland facing Australia at 2pm local time, followed by France against Wales at 4:30pm, and South Africa taking on England at 7pm. Meanwhile, in Stellenbosch, Argentina will confront Fiji at 2pm, Georgia will meet Italy at 4:30pm, and New Zealand will clash with Spain at 7pm.
Viewers can watch all six games live and free on RugbyPass TV in countries without local host broadcaster deals.
Let’s analyse each match and offer predictions:
Ireland vs Australia
Ireland, coming off a dramatic 83rd-minute victory against Georgia, has made 11 changes to their lineup. Meanwhile, Australia, seeking to recover from an unexpected loss to Italy, made only two changes to their starting XV. An intense and closely contested match is expected as both teams strive for a semi-final berth.
Argentina vs Fiji
Following a remarkable win against hosts South Africa, Argentina is implementing numerous changes to their lineup against Fiji. Conversely, Fiji, facing challenging results thus far, aims to put up a strong fight in this match.
France vs Wales
France and Wales are poised for a high-stakes encounter in a “winner takes all” showdown. The teams have undergone multiple changes to their lineups, heightening the stakes as they vie for a coveted semi-final spot.
Georgia vs Italy
Georgia, encountering disappointing results in the championship, maintains a lineup with minimal changes as they confront Italy, who seek to capitalize on their previous victory. Both teams strive for a positive result to conclude their campaign.
South Africa vs England
Significant changes to the lineups of South Africa and England are anticipated as they compete in their final pool match. This pivotal game holds considerable importance for both teams as they vie for a semi-final opportunity.
New Zealand vs Spain
Following a strong performance in the previous round, New Zealand is making several changes to their lineup when facing Spain. The Spanish team, which has undergone a major overhaul in their starting XV, aims to challenge the reigning champions.
As the pool stage draws to a close, the competition intensifies as teams vie for coveted semi-final spots. The day promises an exciting display of rugby, with each match holding its own significance in the championship. Stay tuned for a thrilling day of rugby at the World Rugby U20 Championship.