Japan U20 vs Spain U20 – JWC 2026 13th Place Final Match Preview

Japan U20s will take on Spain in the 13th-place final on Friday, 17th July, in Tbilisi at the Junior World Championship, looking to end the tournament on a high.

Feature Photo Credit – JRFU

Both sides won their 13th-place semifinals with their biggest wins in the tournament ever. Japan defeated the USA 71-21, and Spain beat Uruguay 57-6.

This will be the first-ever JWC meeting between Japan and Spain, and Japan have lost their previous 20 meetings with teams from Europe. The Japanese win over the USA in the last match ended a run of 19 defeats in this tournament.

Japan’s head coach, Naoya Okubo, has changed his pack with Sota Miura and Kotaro Kumagae starting while Keigo Sato comes in at scrum-half.

The Head Coach said after the last round, “We have one more match to go, and we want to grow even more, win, and return to Japan.

Since the very start of the tournament, I’ve witnessed the progress made by both the team, as well as each individual player. For this last match, we want to come together as a team and give it our all to secure victory.

Spain have strong forwards and are a dangerous side if you allow them to build momentum. We will need to fight hard in the forward battles, particularly during the set piece and at the breakdown.”

They have kept the best disciplinary record at JWC 2026. Centre Rio Iwakura remains one to watch after his hat-trick in the USA win. He has made the second-most metres in contact of any back across the tournament (94) and still has made more carries (48).

For Spain, this is the first time they will face Asian opposition at this level.

Los Leones, coached by Ricardo Martinena, will run out with a changed lineup for this final game, with Marçal Carreras returning to the starting lineup at number eight and captaining the team, Mateo Antem resuming his role at fly-half, and Telmo Fisher will play on the wing. Malakai Hafoka changes to fullback.

For Spain, prop Daniel Chico has made the most metres in contact of any player at the tournament (95), and he has beaten the most defenders (8).

Photo Credit – World Rugby

All of the fixtures and results can be seen here.

Japan U20 Squad vs Spain U20 – JWC 2026

You can see more on the Japan U20 squad selected by the JRFU here.

Spain U20 Squad vs Japan U20 – JWC 2026

Starting XV

1. Daniel Chico
2. Ivan Farace
3. Solomon Ibeoba
4. Max Artigas
5. Unax Carballo
6. Miguel Narvarte
7. Unax SALVADOR
8. Marçal CARRERAS (c)
9. Bernat FERNÁNDEZ
10. Matthew ANTEM
11. Pelayo Serrano
12. Oriol Marsinyac
13. Marcos López
14. Telmo Fisher
15. Malakai HAFOKA

Reserves:

16. Mauro DEL CAMPO
17. Joan BARCENILLA
18. Daniel NAVARRO
19. Rocklyn KENNEALLY
20. Bosco VILALLONGA
21. Alfonso ENCISO
22. Iñigo RAPALLO
23. Manex PUJANA

How To Watch the Junior World Championship 2026?

You can see the full list of broadcasters for the JWC 2026 here.

Junior World Championship 2026 News

• Japan U20 vs USA U20 – JWC 2026 13th Place Semifinal Match Preview.
• Japan U20s Fall To Scotland at JWC – Will Compete in 13th Place Semifinal.
• Japan U20s Lost 25-41 to Italy U20s at Junior World Championship 2026.
• Japan U20s Lose JWC 2026 Opener to New Zealand.