2023 World Rugby U20 Championship

The 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship was the 13th edition of the premier age-grade rugby union competition. The tournament is hosted in South Africa for the second time, previously being held in 2012.[1]

2023 World Rugby U20 Championship
Tournament details
Host South Africa
Venue3
Date24 June – 14 July 2023
Teams12
Final positions
Champions France (3rd title)
Runner-up Ireland
Third place South Africa
Fourth place England
Tournament statistics
Matches played30
Tries scored259 (8.63 per match)
Most tries Macca Springer
Basa Khonelidze
(5 tries)
2019
2024

This year's under 20 competition (alongside the Trophy) is the first global U20 competition held since 2019, with the 2020 edition, scheduled to be held in Italy, cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing instability in the world following the pandemic delaying the return of the competition. There have however been various regional U20 competitions with the Six Nations Under 20s Championship and Oceania Rugby Under 20 Championship continuing to take place.

Venues

Athlone Stellenbosch Paarl
Athlone Stadium Danie Craven Stadium Paarl Gimnasium
Capacity: 34,000 Capacity: 16,000 Capacity: 2,000

Teams

The teams set to participate in the tournament are listed in the table below, with a summary of their previous best results at the World Rugby Under 20 Championship included.

Team No. Result (2019) Best Result
 Argentina 12 4th Third place (2016)
 Australia 12 2nd Runners-up (2010, 2019)
 England 12 5th Champions (2013, 2014, 2016)
 Fiji 8 11th Sixth place (2011)
 France 12 1st Champions (2018, 2019)
 Georgia 4 10th Ninth place (2018)
 Ireland 12 8th Runners-up (2016)
 Italy 10 9th Eighth place (2017, 2018)
 Japan 5 Tenth place (2015)
 New Zealand 12 7th Champions (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2017)
 South Africa 12 3rd Champions (2012)
 Wales 12 6th Runners-up (2013)

    Match officials

    The following officials were named through out the tournament, with an official panel of 10 referees designated to oversee the game. Assistant Referees for the pool stage were local South African referees, whilst in a World Rugby first, a TMO bunker will be trailed where by the Television Match Official will focus on the game, and a Split Screen Operator will focus on any yellow cards needing an upgrade to a red card.

    Pool stage

    Pool A Pool B Pool C

     France
     Japan
     New Zealand
     Wales

     Australia
     England
     Fiji
     Ireland

     Argentina
     Georgia
     Italy
     South Africa

    Pool A

    Team Pld W D L PF PA −/+ TF TA BP Pts
     France 330015345+108227315
     New Zealand 320110380+231612210
     Wales 31028689–3131337
     Japan 300350178–12882700
    24 June
    14:00 SAST (UTC+02)
    France 75–12 Japan
    Try: Depoortère (2) 2' c, 48' c
    Reus 7' c
    Gazzotti (2) 9' c, 34' c
    Zinzen 17' c
    Capilla 30' c
    Ferté 42' c
    Carbonneau 70' c
    Liufau 74' m
    Timo 75' c
    Con: Reus (6/6) 3', 8', 10', 18', 30', 35'
    Mondinat (4/5) 43', 49', 71', 76'
    Try: Muto 27' c
    Omoto 60' m
    Con: Naramoto (1/2) 28'
    Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
    Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
    24 June
    16:00 SAST (UTC+02)
    Wales 26–27 New Zealand
    Try: Lloyd 21' m
    D. Edwards 26' c
    M. Morse 37' c
    Scarfe 79' c
    Con: D. Edwards (3/4) 26', 38', 79'
    Pen: D. Edwards (0/1)
    Try: Tangitau 7' m
    Springer 45' m
    Hainsworth-Fa’aofo 50' c
    Clark 60' c
    Con: Kemara (2/4) 51', 61'
    Pen: Godfrey (1/1) 55'
    Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl
    Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe (England)
    29 June
    13:30 SAST (UTC+02)
    France 35–14 New Zealand
    Try: Attisogbé 7' c
    Tuilagi (2) 19' c, 42' c
    Jauneau 30' c
    Liufau 67' c
    Con: Reus (5/5) 8', 20', 31', 44', 68'
    Try: Penalty try 57'
    Lakai 64' c
    Con: Kemara (1/1) 65'
    Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl
    Referee: Damian Schneider (Argentina)
    29 June
    14:00 SAST (UTC+02)
    Wales 41–19 Japan
    Try: Hughes 16' c
    Lloyd 40' m
    Florence 64' m
    D. Edwards 75' c
    Bradley 76' c
    Hennessey 79' c
    Con: D. Edwards (3/5) 17', 76', 78'
    Wilde (1/1) 80'
    Pen: D. Edwards (1/1) 3'
    Try: Nagashima (2) 21' c, 31' c
    Oike 36' m
    Con: Naramoto (2/3) 22', 32'
    Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
    Referee: Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
    4 July
    16:00 SAST (UTC+02)
    New Zealand 62–19 Japan
    Try: Hutchinson 7' m
    Hainsworth-Fa’aofo 24' c
    Springer (3) 26' m, 33' c, 69' c
    Wrampling-Alec 37' c
    Kemara (2) 39' c, 46' m
    Flanders 72' c
    Stodart 76' m
    Con: Kemara (2/4) 25', 33'
    Godfrey (4/6) 38', 40', 69', 72'
    Try: Imano 4' c
    Omoto 16' m
    Nagashima 73' c
    Con: Taira (1/2) 5'
    Naramoto (1/1) 74'
    Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl
    Referee: Reuben Keane (Australia)
    4 July
    16:30 SAST (UTC+02)
    France 43–19 Wales
    Try: Depoortère (2) 8' c, 41' c
    Mondinat 18' c
    Carbonneau 20' c
    Julien 57' c
    Moustin 78' m
    Con: Mondinat (5/5) 10', 19', 22', 42', 58'
    Reus (0/1)
    Pen: Mondinat (1/1) 4'
    Try: Driscoll 40' c
    Florence 47' c
    Houston 71' m
    Con: D. Edwards (2/3) 40+1', 48'
    Athlone Stadium, Athlone
    Referee: Takehito Namekawa (Japan)

    Pool B

    Team Pld W D L PF PA −/+ TF TA BP Pts
     Ireland 321011171+401710313
     England 312010963+461510210
     Australia 31117889–11111117
     Fiji 300371146–75102222
    24 June
    13:30 SAST (UTC+02)
    England 34–34 Ireland
    Try: Opoku-Fordjour 23' c
    Penalty try 48'
    Cusick (2) 52' c, 69' c
    Con: Slevin (3/3) 24', 53', 71'
    Pen: Slevin (2/2) 3', 67'
    ReportTry: Prendergast 11' m
    Hadden 21' m
    McNabney 40' m
    Quinn 56' m
    McErlean 60' c
    Cooney 64' c
    Con: Prendergast (2/6) 61', 64'
    Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl
    Referee: Luc Ramos (France)
    24 June
    16:30 SAST (UTC+02)
    Australia 46–37 Fiji
    Try: Bowron 11' c
    Bloomfield 18' m
    Lancaster (2) 24' m, 68' c
    Vaihu 34' c
    Leahy 41' m
    Gordon 66' c
    Con: Gordon (2/5) 12', 35'
    Bowen (2/2) 67', 69'
    Pen: Bowen (1/1) 79'
    Try: Waqaicece 13 c'
    Murray 38' c
    Tagiveitaua 47' c
    Nakalevu 56' c
    Con: Armstrong-Ravula (4/4) 14', 39', 49', 58'
    Pen: Armstrong-Ravula (3/3) 9', 22', 64'
    Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
    Referee: Takehito Namekawa (Japan)
    29 June
    11:00 SAST (UTC+02)
    Australia 10–30 Ireland
    Try: O'Donnell 23' m
    Con: Bowen (1/1) 24'
    Pen: Bowen (1/1) 26'
    ReportTry: Nicholson 30' m
    Gleeson 52' c
    G. McCarthy 62' m
    Mangan 80' c
    Con: Prendergast (1/3) 53'
    Oliver (1/1) 80+1'
    Pen: Prendergast (2/2) 6', 40'
    Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl
    Referee: Angus Mabey (New Zealand)
    29 June
    19:00 SAST (UTC+02)
    England 53–7 Fiji
    Try: Cleaves 14' c
    Penalty try 25'
    Jibulu 32' m
    Thomas 46' c
    Thame 49' m
    Michelow 54' c
    Woodman 66' m
    Fisilau 80' c
    Con: Slevin (3/5) 15', 47', 55'
    Johnson (1/2) 80+1'
    Pen: Slevin (1/1) 11'
    Try: McGoon 19'
    Con: Armstrong-Ravula (1/1) 20'
    Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
    Referee: Ben Breakspear (Wales)
    4 July
    13:30 SAST (UTC+02)
    Ireland 47–27 Fiji
    Try: Gleeson (2) 6' c, 33' c
    Sheahan 10' m
    Hadden 20' c
    G. McCarthy (2) 55' c, 76' c
    Osborne 66' c
    Con: Lynch (3/4) 7', 21', 34'
    Prendergast (3/3) 55', 66', 76'
    ReportTry: McGoon 14' c
    Armstrong-Ravula 38' m
    Murray 41' m
    Finau 48' m
    Vonovono 80' m
    Con: Armstrong-Ravula (1/4) 15'
    Ralogaivau (0/1)
    Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl
    Referee: Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
    4 July
    14:00 SAST (UTC+02)
    Australia 22–22 England
    Try: Talataina 30' c
    Craig 38' c
    McLaughlin-Phillips 77' m
    Con: Bowen (2/3) 31', 39'
    Pen: Bowen (1/1) 18'
    Try: Bracken 3' m
    Cleaves 34' m
    Jibulu 42' m
    Con: Slevin (2/3) 4', 35'
    Pen: Slevin (1/1) 55'
    Athlone Stadium, Athlone
    Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)

    Pool C

    Team Pld W D L PF PA −/+ TF TA BP Pts
     South Africa 32018373+107719
     Georgia 32017350+239519
     Argentina 3102595906415
     Italy 31026699–3381415
    24 June
    11:00 SAST (UTC+02)
    Argentina 43–15 Italy
    Try: Baronio 25' c
    Chiavassa 34' c
    Soler 37' c
    Elías 44' c
    Minoyetti 62' m
    Elizalde 78' c
    Con: Baronio (4/5) 26', 34', 38', 45'
    Dicapua (1/1) 79'
    Drop: Baronio (1/1) 68'
    Try: Passarella 20' m
    Odiase 67' c
    Con: Sante (1/2) 68'
    Pen: Sante (1/1) 2'
    Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl
    Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
    24 June
    19:00 SAST (UTC+02)
    South Africa 33–23 Georgia
    Try: Letebele 6' c
    Julius 22' c
    Hooker 70' c
    Con: Smith (3/3) 7', 23', 72'
    Pen: Smith (4/4) 3', 40', 66', 68'
    Try: Tsikhistavi 13' c
    Tsirekidze 58' m
    Babunashvili 74' m
    Con: Khutsishvili (1/2) 14'
    Kheladze (0/1)
    Pen: Khutsishvili (2/2) 45', 63'
    Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
    Referee: Ben Breakspear (Wales)
    29 June
    16:00 SAST (UTC+02)
    South Africa 26–34 Italy
    Try: Letebele 30' m
    Julius 36' c
    Markus 56' c
    Else 60' c
    Con: Khan (3/4) 38', 57', 61'
    Pen: Khan (0/1)
    Try: Penalty try 8'
    Gasperini 17' c
    Gallorini (2) 45' c, 50' c
    Con: Brisighella (3/3) 18', 46', 51'
    Pen: Brisighella (1/1) 24'
    Sante (1/1) 74'
    Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl
    Referee: Reuben Keane (Australia)
    29 June
    16:30 SAST (UTC+02)
    Argentina 0–20 Georgia
    Try: Khorbaladze 17' c
    Khonelidze 34' c
    Con: Khutsishvili (2/2) 18', 36'
    Pen: Khutsishvili (2/2) 43', 55'
    Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
    Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
    4 July
    11:00 SAST (UTC+02)
    Italy 17–30 Georgia
    Try: Casilio 19' c
    Gallorini 44' c
    Con: Brisighella (2/2) 21', 45'
    Pen: Brisighella (1/2) 14'
    Try: Lomidze 9' c
    Khonelidze (2) 28' m, 53' c
    Tchamiashvili 77' m
    Con: Khutsishvili (2/4) 11', 54'
    Pen: Khutsishvili (2/2) 24', 35'
    Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl
    Referee: Damian Schneider (Argentina)
    4 July
    19:00 SAST (UTC+02)
    South Africa 24–16 Argentina
    Try: Else 26' c
    Beets (2) 68' c, 75' c
    Con: Smith (3/3) 27', 69', 76'
    Pen: Smith (1/1) 42'
    Try: Zanella 35' c
    Con: Dicapua (1/1) 36'
    Pen: Dicapua (3/3) 3', 14', 22'
    Athlone Stadium, Athlone
    Referee: Luc Ramos (France)

    Pool stage standings

    Seedings for the knockout stage based on results from the pool stage:[2].

    Pos Team Pool Pld −/+ Pts
    Finals
    1 FranceA3+10815
    2 IrelandB3+4013
    3 South AfricaC3+109
    4 EnglandB3+4610
    5–8th place play-offs
    5 New ZealandA3+2310
    6 GeorgiaC3+239
    7 WalesA3−37
    8 AustraliaB3−117
    9–12th place play-offs
    9 ArgentinaC305
    10 ItalyC3−335
    11 FijiB3–752
    12 JapanA3−1280

    Knockout stage

    9–12th place play-offs

     
    Semi-finals9th place
     
          
     
    9 July – Paarl
     
     
     Italy26
     
    14 July – Stellenbosch
     
     Fiji41
     
     Fiji 22
     
    9 July – Paarl
     
     Argentina43
     
     Argentina45
     
     
     Japan20
     
    11th place
     
     
    14 July – Stellenbosch
     
     
     Italy 45
     
     
     Japan27

    Semi-finals

    9 July
    11:00 SAST (UTC+02)
    Italy 26–41 Fiji
    Try: Gallorini 4' c
    Quattrini 23' m
    Botturi 58' c
    Gasperini 61' c
    Con: Brisighella (3/4) 6', 58', 62'
    Try: Vocevoce 10' c
    Basiyalo 28' c
    Masiwini 35' c
    Nalasi 66' c
    Finau 71' c
    Con: Ravula (5/5) 11', 29', 37', 68', 73'
    Pen: Ravula (2/2) 17', 50'
    Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl
    Referee: Luc Ramos (France)
    9 July
    13:30 SAST (UTC+02)
    Argentina 45–20 Japan
    Try: Mallia 7' m
    Elías 14' c
    Moyano 29' c
    Soler 35' m
    Bildosola 56' c
    Chiavassa 60' c
    Valarolo 78' c
    Con: Dicapua (3/5) 15', 31', 80'
    Mallia (2/2) 57', 61'
    Try: Omachi 4' c
    Oike 46' c
    Con: Naramoto (2/2) 5', 47'
    Pen: Naramoto (2/2) 51', 53'
    Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl
    Referee: Morné Ferreira (South Africa)

    11th place

    14 July
    12:00 SAST (UTC+02)
    Italy 45–27 Japan
    Try: Passarella (3) 1' m, 39' c, 72' m
    Casilio 16' c
    Gesi 29' c
    Odiase 51' c
    Bozzoni 70' c
    Con: Brisighella (5/7) 17', 30', 40', 52', 71'
    Try: Omachi 13' c
    Oike 45' m
    Hayashi 75' c
    Nagashima 78' m
    Con: Naramoto (1/2) 14'
    Nonaka (1/2) 75'
    Pen: Naramoto (1/1) 34'
    Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
    Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)

    9th place

    14 July
    14:30 SAST (UTC+02)
    Fiji 22–43 Argentina
    Try: Tagiveitaua 7' m
    Waqaicece 41' c
    Basiyalo (2) 53' m, 65' m
    Con: Basiyalo (1/4) 42'
    Try: Soler Filloy 11' m
    Minoyetti 20' m
    Giudice 25' c
    Chiavassa (2) 29' m, 68' c
    Di Biase 33' c
    Penalty try 47'
    Con: Dicapua (3/6) 27', 35', 69'
    Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
    Referee: Ben Breakspear (Wales)

    5–8th place play-offs

     
    Semi-finals5th place
     
          
     
    9 July – Paarl
     
     
     Georgia21
     
    14 July – Athlone
     
     Wales40
     
     Wales33
     
    9 July – Athlone
     
     Australia57
     
     New Zealand35
     
     
     Australia44
     
    7th place
     
     
    14 July – Stellenbosch
     
     
     Georgia26
     
     
     New Zealand50

    Semi-finals

    9 July
    14:00 SAST (UTC+02)
    New Zealand 35–44 Australia
    Try: Springer 2' m
    Tangitau (2) 19' c, 56' m
    Wrampling-Alec 38' c
    Taylor 44' m
    Con: Kemara (2/5) 20', 39'
    Pen: Kemara (1/1) 32'
    Drop: Kemara (1/1) 40+1'
    Try: Craig (2) 15' m, 23' m
    O'Donnell 27' m
    Ryan (2) 46' c, 58' c
    Leahy 51' m
    Wilson 77' c
    Con: McLaughlin-Phillips (3/7) 47', 59', 78'
    Pen: McLaughlin-Phillips (1/1) 9'
    Athlone Stadium, Athlone
    Referee: Takehito Namekawa (Japan)
    9 July
    16:00 SAST (UTC+02)
    Georgia 21–40 Wales
    Try: Mamaiashvili 47' m
    Tchamiashvili 64' m
    Kakhoidze 77' m
    Con: Khutsishvili (0/3)
    Pen: Khutsishvili (2/2) 4', 17'
    Try: Lloyd 38' c
    Hennessey (2) 42' c, 50' c
    Houston 54' m
    De La Rua 70' c
    Westwood 79' c
    Con: D. Edwards (4/5) 37', 43', 51', 72'
    Wilde (1/1) 80'
    Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl
    Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)

    7th place

    14 July
    17:00 SAST (UTC+02)
    Georgia 26–50 New Zealand
    Try: Mikadze 32' c
    Khonelidze (2) 39' c, 62' m
    Aptsiauri 56' c
    Con: Khutsishvili (3/4) 33', 40', 57'
    Try: Tangitau (2) 4' c, 16' m
    Stodart 9' c
    Lakai 25' c
    Hotham 27' c
    Clark 70' c
    Penalty try 78'
    Con: Kemara (5/6) 5', 10', 26', 28', 71'
    Pen: Kemara (1/1) 65'
    Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
    Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe (England)

    5th place

    14 July
    14:00 SAST (UTC+02)
    Wales 33–57 Australia
    Try: Lloyd 22' m
    Morgan (2) 46' c, 65' c
    Woodman 69' c
    Williams 78' c
    Con: D. Edwards (3/4) 47', 66', 70'
    Wilde (1/1) 79'
    Try: O'Donnell (2) 8' m, 41' c
    Macpherson (2) 30' m, 48' c
    Bowron (2) 34' m, 62' c
    Wilson 49' c
    Pearce 72' c
    Slack-Smith 76' c
    Con: Bowron (6/9) 42', 48', 51', 63', 73', 77'
    Athlone Stadium, Athlone
    Referee: Angus Mabey (New Zealand)

    Finals

     
    Semi-finalsFinal
     
          
     
    9 July – Athlone
     
     
     Ireland31
     
    14 July – Athlone
     
     South Africa12
     
     Ireland14
     
    9 July – Athlone
     
     France50
     
     France52
     
     
     England31
     
    3rd place
     
     
    14 July – Athlone
     
     
     South Africa22
     
     
     England15

    Semi-finals

    9 July
    16:30 SAST (UTC+02)
    Ireland 31–12 South Africa
    Try: Nicholson (2) 37' c, 59' c
    Gleeson 49' c
    Berman 68' c
    Con: Prendergast (4/4) 38', 50', 61', 66'
    Pen: Prendergast (1/1) 71'
    Try: Khan 45' c
    Le Roux 75' m
    Con: Smith (1/2) 46'
    Athlone Stadium, Athlone
    Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe (England)
    9 July
    19:00 SAST (UTC+02)
    France 52–31 England
    Try: Ferté 16' c
    Costes 24' c
    Penalty try 46'
    Nouchi 53' c
    Gazzotti 56' c
    Jegou 64' c
    Reus 73' c
    Con: Reus (6/6) 17', 25', 54', 58', 65', 74'
    Pen: Reus (1/1) 80'
    Try: Harris 11' c
    Wills 13' c
    Cunningham-South 37' c
    Cleaves 76' c
    Con: Johnson (3/3) 12', 14', 38'
    Harris (1/1) 76'
    Pen: Johnson (1/1) 3'
    Athlone Stadium, Athlone
    Referee: Angus Mabey (New Zealand)

    3rd place

    14 July
    16:30 SAST (UTC+02)
    South Africa 22–15 England
    Try: Sieberhagen 10' c
    Beets 17' c
    Else 38' m
    Con: Smith (2/3) 11', 18'
    Pen: Smith (1/1) 20'
    Try: Wright 22' m
    Carr 42' c
    Con: Slevin (1/2) 43'
    Pen: Slevin (1/2) 6'
    Athlone Stadium, Athlone
    Referee: Reuben Keane (Australia)

    Final

    14 July
    19:00 SAST (UTC+02)
    Ireland 14–50 France
    Try: Gunne 3' c
    Devine 30' c
    Con: Prendergast (2/2) 3', 32'
    ReportTry: Ferté (2) 13' c, 74' m
    Julien 34' c
    Jouvin 41' c
    Depoortère 44' c
    Nouchi 75' c
    Drouet 80' c
    Con: Reus (6/7) 14', 35', 42', 44', 75', 80'
    Pen: Reus (1/2) 22'
    Athlone Stadium, Athlone
    Referee: Damian Schneider (Argentina)

    Final placings

    Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA −/+ TF TA
    1 France 550025590+1653613
    2 Ireland 5311156133+232319
    3 South Africa 5302117119–21213
    4 England 5122155137182120
    5–8th place play-offs
    5 Australia 5311179157+222721
    6 Wales 5203159167−82425
    7 New Zealand 5302188149+392823
    8 Georgia 5203120121−11618
    9–12th place play-offs
    9 Argentina 5302147101+462010
    10 Fiji 5104134215−811933
    11 Italy 5203137167−301923
    12 Japan 500597268−1711441

    See also

    References

    1. "World Rugby U20 tournaments return to Africa in 2023" (Press release). World Rugby. 26 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
    2. "South Africa leave it late to deny Georgia an historic semi-final place at the U20 Championship". World Rugby. 4 July 2023. Retrieved 5 July 2023. The 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship tournament rules don't appear to have been published, but the seeding is consistent with the tournament rules for the 2019 World Rugby Under 20 Championship.
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