Italy U20 vs Japan U20

Italy lost Antony Italo Miranda to a yellow card in the 51st minute and, shortly after, Ettore Dinarte was also yellow-carded (61'), leaving the Azzurrini with 13 men. Yet remarkably, Italy scored twice while numerically disadvantaged. Dinarte himself crossed in the 57th minute from a sweeping backline move, with Andretti converting (31–11). Then, in the 64th minute, the Italian pack drove replacement Valerio Pelli over from a lineout maul for a 36–11 lead.

Japan refused to wilt. Isa Fukada finished a well-worked backs move in the 71st minute, with Niwa converting, before substitute Nikolaj Varotto replied with an individual try for Italy (72') to make it 41–18. Japan had the final word: after sustained pressure, Takeru Niwa picked from the base of a ruck to score and converted his own try in the 81st minute.

• Riccardo Casarin (Italy U20) – The captain scored one try and was a dominant defensive presence, leading Italy's line speed and physicality. His try immediately after half-time killed any Japanese momentum.
• Mattia Andretti (Italy U20) – Controlled the game from fly-half, converting five of Italy's six tries and adding a penalty for a personal haul of 13 points.
• Roberto Fasti (Italy U20) – Played a pivotal creative role with two try assists, unlocking the Japanese defence in the lead-up to tries by Falchetto and Casarin.
• Takeru Niwa (Japan U20) – The fly-half was Japan's standout, scoring a try and conversion, converting two others and adding a penalty for 12 points, while also providing the assist for Fukada's try.

Italy dominated territory — they led for 62 minutes of the match compared to Japan's four. The Azzurrini made 22 entries into Japan's 22 and averaged 5.1 points per entry; Japan entered Italy's 22 12 times but averaged only 2.0 points per entry, underscoring Italy's superior defensive organisation. Japan won 131 rucks to Italy's 57, indicating far greater possession volume, but Italy's superior finishing efficiency proved decisive.

Italy's two yellow cards could have been costly, but they conceded only one try during the 13-man period and scored two of their own.

Both sides entered this Pool B fixture after opening-round defeats — Italy had lost 32–38 to Scotland, while Japan fell 21–38 to New Zealand. The win keeps Italy in contention for a top-two finish and enhances their chances of a place in the trophy play-offs. Japan, still searching for their first pool-stage victory at a Junior World Championship (0 from 19 attempts), face an uphill battle.

Italy's next fixture is against New Zealand on Tuesday, 7 July in Kutaisi. Japan face Scotland on the same day.

Italy were far from clinical for long spells but their try-scoring efficiency, especially while down to 13 men, proved the difference against a Japan side that enjoyed plenty of possession but lacked the cutting edge to turn it into points.