Italy U20 run in six tries to sink battling Japan

July 06, 2026
968
Ultimate Rugby

World Rugby Junior World Championship, Round 2

Italy U20 41-25 Japan U20

Italy U20 scored six tries to Japan U20's three as they secured a bonus-point 41-25 victory in the 2nd round of the World Rugby Junior World Championship, with fly-half Mattia Andretti among the standout performers of the afternoon, contributing a try assist and 21 points from the boot.

First half: Italy strike first but Japan hit back

Italy set the tone early. Just past the quarter-hour mark, Andretti's assist sent David Luisato through a gap in the defence to finish off a kick-and-chase try, and Andretti duly added the extras to make it 7-0.

Japan responded through the boot of Takeru Niwa, who slotted a penalty in the 22nd minute before Andretti replied in kind with a penalty of his own six minutes later. Niwa was on target again shortly after to keep Japan within striking distance at 10-6.

Japan edged ahead soon after when Tsunehidemichi Fukuda barged over from close range following a series of pick-and-go phases, with Soshi Kataoka credited with the try assist. Niwa's conversion attempt drifted right, leaving Japan 11-10 up.

Italy hit back before the break. Roberto Fasti's assist created space for Giacomo Falchetto to finish off, and Andretti converted to nudge Italy back in front. The half-time whistle went with Italy leading 17-11.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Federazione Italiana Rugby (@italrugby)

Second half: Italy pull clear

Italy came out of the blocks fastest after the restart. Riccardo Casarin split the defence with a strong individual carry, assisted by Fasti, to score inside the first minute of the second half, and Andretti's conversion made it 24-11.

Antony Italo Miranda was shown a yellow card in the 51st minute, but Italy weathered the numerical disadvantage. Ettore Dinarte then produced a moment of real quality, breaking the gainline and finishing a superb individual try in the 57th minute — a score good enough, by the commentary's own admission, to be "worth the admission price." Andretti converted again to push the score to 31-11. Dinarte was shown a yellow card of his own shortly afterward.

Italy's dominant forward pack then drove over through Valerio Pelli via a rolling maul in the 64th minute, though Andretti's follow-up conversion attempt drifted left.

Japan rallied in the closing quarter. Isa Fukada finished a flowing passing move in the 71st minute, created by a clean break and try assist from Niwa, and Niwa duly converted his own approach work to bring Japan back to within 20 points at 36-18.

Italy replied almost immediately, Nikolaj Varotto weaving through a gap for a fine solo try in the 72nd minute, though the conversion from Roberto Fasti sailed left of the posts.

Japan finished the stronger of the two sides, working their way over through a persistent close-range effort from Niwa himself in the 80th minute, set up by Kohaku Suda, and Niwa's late conversion rounded out the scoring at 41-25.

Referee Ruairidh Campbell blew the final whistle to confirm a bonus-point win for Italy U20.

Final score

Italy U20 41 (6 tries, 4 conversions, 1 penalty goal, 2 yellow cards) Japan U20 25 (3 tries, 2 conversions, 2 penalty goals)

Try scorers

Italy U20: David Luisato, Giacomo Falchetto, Riccardo Casarin, Ettore Dinarte, Valerio Pelli, Nikolaj Varotto
Japan U20: Tsunehidemichi Fukuda, Isa Fukada, Takeru Niwa