World Rugby U20 Championship: Pool B Standings

Ahead of the final round of pool matches, we take a look at what each nation needs to do to make it out of their respective pools, and maintain their hopes of winning the World Rugby U20 Championship 2024 in South Africa.

Following two enthralling rounds of the World Rugby U20 Championship 2024, nine teams remain in contention for a place in the semi-finals.

New Zealand, Ireland and England head into the final round of the pool stage with their destiny in their own hands but that does not mean they will still be in top spot by the end of Tuesday.

With six matches to be played in Cape Town and Stellenbosch on day three, we take a look at what each nation needs to do to qualify for the semi-finals.

POOL B

Ireland take on Australia in a winner-takes-all contest for top spot in Pool B.

Despite losing 17-12 to Italy on day two, Australia would leapfrog Ireland – last year’s runners-up – with victory as long as they deny their opponents more than one losing bonus point.

If Ireland were to finish within seven points of Australia and score at least four tries, then the Junior Wallabies would have to secure all five match points to move above them.

That is because if Australia win and the two sides finish level on 10 or 11 points, it would be the Junior Wallabies who advance by virtue of beating Ireland.

Ireland know that simply avoiding defeat will see them through to the semi-finals as pool winners.

Although they pulled off a famous win against Australia in round two, Italy are unlikely to progress even if they beat Georgia with a bonus point and the Junior Wallabies lose to Ireland.

That is because the other teams with one victory from their two matches so far, and in contention for the best runners-up spot, have secured at least one bonus point. Italy have not.

Georgia start day three with one solitary point and cannot finish higher than third in Pool B, regardless of the other result due to their head-to-head record against Australia.