Round 1 in Italy brought three wins but a loss by Australia U20 to the Junior Springboks. They need to beat Scotland in Round 2 as New Zealand, Argentina and South Africa will all be looking to secure finals spots with further wins.

Where is it?

Rugby’s future stars will play matches across four cities in the Lombardia and Veneto regions of Italy – Calvisano, Rovigo, Verona and Viadana.

What are the dates?

The tournament runs from 29 June up to the final on 19 July.

Matchday 1: Sunday, 29 June
Matchday 2: Friday, 4 July
Matchday 3: Wednesday, 9 July
Matchday 4: Monday, 14 July
Matchday 5: Saturday, 19 July

MATCH DAY 2

New Zealand v Georgia

The New Zealand Under 20s have named their side to take on Georgia this Saturday morning (NZT), kicking off a major day of rugby that will see five New Zealand teams in action.

The starting line-up features 11 changes to the team that defeated Italy in Round 1 of the tournament.

Super Rugby U20 Player of the Tournament Eli Oudenryn earns his first start at hooker, while Oli Mathis comes in at blindside flanker after making his international sevens debut late last year.

Rico Simpson shifts from fullback to first five-eighth, with U20 Rugby Championship hat-trick hero Harlyn Saunoa named to start on the left wing.

NZ U20 Team: 1. Sika Pole, 2. Eli Oudenryn, 3. Robson Faleafā, 4. Xavier Treacy, 5. Aisake Vakasiuola, 6. Oli Mathis, 7. Caleb Woodley, 8. Micah Fale (vc), 9. Dylan Pledger (c), 10. Rico Simpson, 11. Harlyn Saunoa, 12. Tayne Harvey, 13. James Cameron, 14. Maloni Kunawave, 15. Stanley Solomon (vc)
Replacements: 16. Manumaua Letiu, 17. Israel Time, 18. Dane Johnston, 19. Finn McLeod, 20. Mosese Bason, 21. Ollie Burra, 22. Will Cole, 23. Jack Wiseman

Australia v Scotland

It shapes up as a must-win clash after Australia U20 were humbled 73-17 by the Junior Springboks in their opening game of the tournament.

Australia U20 has suffered two injury setbacks with prop Nick Hill and centre Boston Fakafanua sidelined for the remainder of the tournament.

Jonah Rangiwai from the Queensland Reds has been flown in to replace Hill, while the replacement for Fakafanua will be confirmed in the coming days.

Whitaker has made significant changes, starting in the front row with Waratahs Nathaniel Tiitii and Edwin Langi into the starting side.

Joe Mangelsdorf is the lone other new face in the starting pack, partnering captain and Sydney Uni teammate Eamon Doyle.

In the backs, Cooper Watters and Sid Harvey are the lone remaining starters from the South Africa debutJames Martens and Joe Dillon combine in the halves for the first time this tournament after coming off the bench.

Liam Grover comes into the centre with Malakye Enasio, who was a late inclusion after Dre Pakeho's injury.

Watters and Harvey are joined in the back three by young gun Nicholas Conway.

Will Guilfoyle makes his U20s debut on the bench, with USA-born Ollie Aylmer the other new face from last week.

Australia U20 team: 1. Nathaniel Tiitii (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs), 2. Lipina Ata (ACT Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles), 3. Edwin Langi (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs), 4. Joe Mangelsdorf (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University), 5. Eamon Doyle (c) (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University), 6. Eli Langi (ACT Brumbies, Tuggeranong Vikings), 7. Tom Robinson (Queensland Reds, University of Queensland), 8. Beau Morrison (ACT Brumbies, Sydney University), 9. James Martens (Queensland Reds, GPS Rugby Club), 10. Joe Dillon (ACT Brumbies, Canberra Royals), 11. Nicholas Conway (Queensland Reds, Wests Bulldogs), 12. Malakye Enasio (ACT Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles), 13. Liam Grover (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University), 14. Cooper Watters (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs) 15. Sid Harvey (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs)
Replacements: 16. Will Guilfoyle (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs), 17. Finn Baxter (ACT Brumbies, Gungahlin Eagles), 18. Trevor King (Queensland Reds, Souths), 19. Ollie Aylmer (ACT Brumbies, Gordon), 20. Toby Brial (NSW Waratahs, Eastern Suburbs), 21. Hwi Sharples (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University), 22. Joey Fowler (NSW Waratahs, Sydney University), 23. Xavier Rubens (Queensland Reds, Souths)

South Africa v England

The Junior Springbok starting fifteen to face England in their crucial World Rugby U20 Championship pool match in Rovigo on Friday shows just one change from the side that defeated Australia last Sunday in Italy, with Gino Cupido replacing Demitre Erasmus, who is suffering from illness, at centre.
 
SA U20 head coach Kevin Foote has also made two tactical tweaks on the bench, with Ceano Everson (scrumhalf) and Dominic Malgas (utility) now amongst the replacements, in place of Erich Visser and Ian van der Merwe.
 
The rest of the players who gave such a commanding performance in Calvisano are retained for what promises to be another classic battle between the U20 teams of South Africa and England, who won the tournament last year after beating France in the final in Cape Town.
 
With lock Riley Norton again leading the side, Foote said there is a lot of excitement building for Friday’s important clash.
 
“There is a huge amount of excitement around Friday and the magnitude of this match,” said Foote.
 
“We know how important this is, playing against the defending champions. It’s an honour to be involved in such a game and a real challenge for us this week. We can’t wait for it. With Demitre suffering from a bit of heat stroke, we brought in Gino at outside centre, while Ceano and Dominic cover scrumhalf, centre and flyhalf on the bench."
 
“Demitre, Erich and Ian all played well against Australia, but we are going with a combination that we feel is well suited for us against England.”
 
In the aftermath of the Junior Boks’ resounding win over the young Wallabies, the South Africans emphasised the need to keep their feet firmly on the ground, especially with a huge challenge such as England looming next.
 
“We are very proud of the guys in terms of how focused and humble they’re staying after the victory over Australia, and just how hungry they are for the next challenge against England,” said Foote.
 
Junior Springbok team: 15 Gilermo Mentoe, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 Gino Cupido, 12 Albie Bester, 11 Siyabonga Ndlozi, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Haashim Pead, 8 Wandile Mlaba, 7 Bathobele Hlekani, 6 Xola Nyali, 5 JJ Theron, 4 Riley Norton (captain), 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele 1 Simphiwe Ngobese
Replacements: 16 Jaundré Schoeman, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Jean Erasmus, 19 Jaco Grobbelaar, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Ceano Everson, 22 Dominic Malgas, 23 Jaco Williams

Argentina v Spain

The Pumitas team led by Nicolás Fernández Miranda in round 2 after a very important victory against Wales by 34-27 and now face Spain, who in their first presentation fell 49-11 to France.

Galo Álvarez Quiñones, assistant coach of the U20, commented on how they prepared for the match against Spain: "We were preparing very well, we know that it is going to be a more than complicated match. Spain is very solid, we analysed their previous match and we saw that they have a very good win and that they are going to be a very tough opponent. Just as we prepare every game, with the utmost seriousness and focusing on the details to continue improving our game and be an increasingly competitive team".

Los Pumitas team: : 1. RODRIGUEZ Juan Ignacio (Liceo RC), 2. LEDESMA AROCENA, Tadeo (SIC), 3. RAPETTI, Tomás (Alumni), 4. DUCLOS Tomás (Los Tordos RC), 5. GARCÍA IANDOLINO, Álvaro (Los Tordos RC), 6. DANDE, Tomás (Huirapuca), 7. NEYRA, Santiago (Alumni), 8. GARCÍA CAMPOS, Agustín (Regatas BV), 9. CORLETO, Félix (CUBA), 10. BENEDIT, Rafael (CUBA), 11. VIEYRA, Aquiles (Alumni), 12. LEDESMA, Felipe (captain) (SIC), 13. COLL Pedro (Tigres RC), 14. SILVA Timothy (SIC), 15. SENILLOSA, Pascal (Hindu)
Replacements: 16. OTAÑO, Jerónimo (Los Tordos RC), 17. STRAP Diego (CAE), 18. GALVAN, Gael (Pucará), 19. FREIRIA, Valentino (Mariano Moreno), 20. STOREY, Pampa (CASI), 21. GRIFFO, Fabricio (Palermo Bajo), 22. FERNANDEZ MIRANDA, Ramón (Hindu), 23. LESCANO, Baptist (CAE).