Japan U20s Fall To Scotland at JWC – Will Compete in 13th Place Semifinal

rugbyasia247 Posted On July 8, 2026

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Japan U20s Fall To Scotland at JWC - Will Compete in 13th Place Semifinal

Despite another gutsy effort from the Japan U20s, they extended their losing streak at the pool stage at this level of the U20 Junior World Championship, falling to Scotland 32-43 at AIA Arena in Georgia on Tuesday, 7th July 2026.

Feature Photo Credit – JRFU

The loss means the Japanese finished the pool stage at the bottom of Pool B, and they will play for a placement between 13th and 16th with Spain, USA and Uruguay.

Japan U20s Head Coach Naoya Okubo said after the loss, “We went into the match against an opponent we suffered a crushing defeat against two years ago, with the theme of ‘beating ourselves from two years ago, and I was able to see the significant growth of the players.

In order to break through the barrier of the quarterfinals at the JWC, further evolution of our set pieces is required. What was good was that when we had possession of the ball, we were able to push the opponent back. We want to continue to improve in this area and fight through the remaining two matches.”

Photo Credit – JRFU

The Japanese started poorly and went behind as early as the second minute as the Scots ran in their first converted try through Matthew Fick. That lead blew out to 19-0 within the opening quarter (Daniel Kelly, who we warned about in our match preview, was one of the try scorers), with Japan’s lineout in particular faltering as they lost all three of their own throws and struggled to get a foothold.

It didn’t help that their scrum, which had been solid through the tournament, was backpedalling under pressure – the decision to change the entire tight five for the game backfiring.

Japan struck back to score a try via Koshi Tsumura from an effective driving maul and converted by flyhalf Yuki Koboyashi in the 22nd minute. Koboyashi penalty on the half-hour mark, but Scotland got their bonus-point try 3 minutes later to lead 26-10.

Japan were forced to make changes to the front row to try to get back into the game, but they still struggled. The sides were trading scores, and after the poor start by Japan, they scored a 2nd try from a maul by substitute hooker Sota Miura in the 37th minute to trail 15-26. A bizarre yellow card for the heaviest Scot on the field, Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, saw the prop go off in the 42nd minute in the first half.

Japan U20s – JWC 2026

Japan looked to make the most of the extra player and pushed for points well after the standard 40 minutes. They had several chances through attacking lineout, mauls and phase play but the attacks were not fluid. A cross-field kick was defended brilliantly by the Scots, as it looked like Japan might score in the corner. Eventually Japan spilt the ball and lost the opportunity before the break.

In the second half, Japan had plenty of ball in the opening ten minutes but coughed it up too many times. When Scotland got into the Japan 22m the big men up front scored too easily, and they extended the lead to 31-15.

Japan lacked a clinical attack as the Scots won turnovers, but they themselves were guilty of losing the ball in possession on several occasions. Reserve scrumhalf Shinnosuke Uchida attacked the vacant blindside with a good piece of solo play to make it 31-22 close to the hour mark.

Japan scored their 4th try and bonus point to close it up again 29-31 with 15 mins left through Isa Fukada. The momentum was with the Asian side, and they were even winning scrums.

An excellent Japanese 50/22 by Takeru Niwa in the 69th minute caught Scotland out, but another poor lineout lost them the chance to make the most of it. Poor missed tackles on defence and good, powerful, and direct Scottish running saw their sub Alex Bryden score another try to extend the lead with 7 minutes remaining – the conversion hit both posts, and they led 36-29.

Japan U20s – JWC 2026

Japan took three points from a penalty to make it 32-36 with under 5 minutes left. They were chasing the win, but the ball was intercepted by a Scottish teen flyhalf, Jake Dalziel, who scored the try to seal the win and end the Japanese comeback. The score also denied Japan the losing bonus point.

Fullback Ryuto Koga from Meiji Uni said, “Throughout the three matches, I felt that if we can do what we’re trying to do, we can definitely compete on a global level. Personally, I think I performed better than in the first two matches. The matches ended with disappointing results, but it was a good experience that will help us go forward. I want to continue to grow.”

Japan points scorers:
Tries: Koshi Tsumura, Sota Miura, Shinnosuke Uchida, Isa Fukada
Conversions: Yuki Koboyashi x3
Penalties: Yuki Koboyashi x2

Japan will face the USA in the 13th-place semi-finals on Sunday 12th July in Tbilisi.