Round 3 of the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship takes place on Wednesday, 9 July, across two venues in Italy. As we enter the final round of pool fixtures, qualification permutations are at their peak, and matches carry significant weight in determining playoff placements. Below, we take a look at each fixture from a betting perspective.
Pool A
South Africa vs Scotland – 15:30 SAST, Stadio San Michele, Calvisano
Handicap: South Africa [-38.5] at 1.95
South Africa is on the brink of securing top spot in Pool A following two excellent performances: a 73–17 demolition of Australia and a statement 32–22 comeback win over defending champions England in Round 2. With 15 tries scored across those two matches, the Junior Boks enter this clash as overwhelming favourites and are expected to finish the group stages in commanding fashion.
Scotland’s campaign, meanwhile, has been a tough one. They opened with a heavy 56–19 defeat to England, followed by a more spirited performance against Australia, although they still went down 34–24. Now facing a rampant South African side, Scotland will need to deliver their best display yet to avoid finishing bottom of the group.
BETTING – click here to bet
South Africa 1.00
Draw 66.00
Scotland 29.00
England vs Australia – 18:00 SAST, Payanini Center, Verona
Handicap: England [-16.5] at 1.95
England began their campaign with a dominant 56-19 win over Scotland, showcasing sharp attacking play and clinical finishing, especially in the 1st half, but their momentum was halted slightly in Round 2 due to a 32-22 defeat to South Africa, despite a strong start and being comfortably ahead early.
They will, however, find confidence in their ability to put points on the board this Wednesday as they scored 78 in their two matches and they will need a bonus point win and other results to go their way to qualify for the semi-finals.
Australia, meanwhile, were pumped 73-17 by the South African side in their opener but managed to bounce back with a hard fought 34-24 victory over Scotland on Friday, where they looked much better on attack.
With both sides sitting on five points, this final pool match is crucial for playoff seeding and promises to be a fiercely contested encounter in which Australia will need to put in a full 80-minute shift to win.
BETTING – click here to bet
England 1.14
Draw 46.00
Australia 6.50
Pool B
Wales vs Spain – 15:30 SAST, Payanini Center, Verona
Handicap: Wales [-14.5] at 1.95
Wales and Spain both head into their final Pool B clash winless, making this a must-win fixture to avoid bottom place in the group for one of the teams.
Wales were edged out 34-27 by Argentina in Round 1 despite leading at halftime and then fell 14 points short to France in Round 2 with a scoreline of 35-21, though they showed flashes of attacking promise and durability.
Spain, on the other hand, were badly beaten 49-11 by France to start their competition and recently, just missed out in a 33-30 thriller against Argentina despite leading by 23 points heading into the break.
With both sides having shown potential in patches, this match offers a chance for one of them to end their pool campaign on a high.
BETTING – click here to bet
Wales 1.15
Draw 41.00
Spain 6.50
France vs Argentina – 20:30 SAST, Payanini Center, Verona
Handicap: France [-14.5] at 1.85
France have looked sharp with consecutive bonus-point wins, beating Spain 49-11 in Round 1 and then Wales 35-21 in Round 2. They have combined physicality with effective execution and will look to maintain their momentum in what will possibly be their toughest test yet.
Argentina opened their campaign with a narrow 34-27 comeback win over Wales before edging out Spain 33-30 in a tight Round 2 clash where they came from well behind to snatch victory.
Both teams are on 10 points heading into this encounter, making this a top-of-the-table decider, with the winner booking their spot in the semi-final and a bonus point for either should be enough to see them through even in defeat.
BETTING – click here to bet
France 1.11
Draw 36.00
Argentina 8.50
Pool C
New Zealand vs Ireland – 18:00 SAST, Stadio San Michele, Calvisano
Handicap: New Zealand [-15.5] at 1.95
New Zealand currently tops the Pool with two wins from two and has steadily improved through the rounds, showing both defensive stability and attacking strategy. They kicked off their run with a close 14-5 triumph over Italy and then went on to beat Georgia 38-19 when they met a few days ago.
Ireland now faces a must-win scenario to keep their top four hopes alive. They will need to be far more clinical than they were in Round 2 when they settled for a 18-16 defeat to the hosts and will hope to replicate the attacking spark they showed in their 35-28 win over Georgia in their opener.
BETTING – click here to bet
New Zealand 1.14
Draw 46.00
Ireland 7.00
Georgia vs Italy – 20:30 SAST, Stadio San Michele, Calvisano
Handicap: Georgia [+8.5] at 1.95
Italy stunned Ireland in Round 2 to pull off a 2-point win and will be eyeing a top two finish in Pool C with another win here. Their discipline and defensive structure stood out in their 14-5 loss against New Zealand just over a week ago.
Georgia have had impressive moments during the tournament but are yet to register a win, losing their first game 35-28 to Ireland and the second 38-19 when they met with New Zealand on Friday. Their powerful forwards and strong maul could trouble Italy, but they will need more consistency across the park to close this one out.
BETTING – click here to bet
Georgia 4.30
Draw 26.00
Italy 1.28
Selections:
Suggested Bet: New Zealand -15.5 at 1.95
I suspect Ireland will throw in the towel at some point in this one as their attention turns to the playoffs.
Suggested Bet: Italy -8.5 at 1.95
The home crowd can carry them to a comfortable victory.
I will keep an eye put for points lines and may add another bet.
Note: All prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change.
