Argentina started their 2026 World Rugby U20 Championship with an emphatic victory, scoring plenty of tries. Ireland lost their opening Pool C fixture against England.
Key Stats - Argentina U20 Superb last time out
- Argentina won their opening match by 66 points.
- Argentina placed third at last year's World Rugby U20 Championship.
- Ireland lost their opening Pool C match against England.
- Ireland finished 11th at last year's tournament.
Argentina U20 Looking to Back up last weekend's Performance
Argentina kicked off their campaign with a comprehensive victory against the USA in their opening Pool C match, winning 78-12 after leading 40-0 at the break.
Before that result, Argentina had some success at this year's U20 Rugby Championship, finishing in third place overall. They lost 48-21 to South Africa and defeated New Zealand 25-17 before losing 32-30 to Australia.
At the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship, Los Pumitas defeated Wales 34-27 and Spain 33-30 before losing 52-26 to France in the group stages. They subsequently lost to South Africa 48-24 in the semi-finals before beating France 38-25 again to finish third overall.
Argentina will be aiming to reproduce a similar performance at this edition of the World Rugby U20 Championship, and will start confidently against Ireland after scoring 14 tries in their previous match.
Ireland U20 Must-Win Situation
Ireland came up short in their opening Pool C match against England last weekend, losing 34-27 after trailing 24-12 at half-time.
Before that, Ireland did well at the 2026 Six Nations U20 Championship, finishing second. They lost to France 50-21, beat Italy 30-27, England 31-21, Wales 48-33, and Scotland 47-14.
At last year's World Rugby U20 Championship, Ireland struggled. They defeated Georgia 35-28 and lost to Italy 18-16, New Zealand 69-22, and Scotland 22-21 before defeating Spain 38-37 to finish 11th overall in the tournament.
Ireland did not fare well in this tournament last year, but they have been in solid form this year. However, they will have to play well to beat Argentina, who opened their campaign with a rampant victory.
Argentina vs Ireland U20 Squads & Team News
Argentina
Simon Pfister scored a hat-trick against the USA last weekend.
Juan Preumayr, Ramon Fernandez, Bautista Lescano, Benjamin Ordiz, Federico Serpa, Tomas Dande, Manuel Cuneo Camargo, Pedro Coll, Bautista Benavides, Gavin Holder, and Sialeafuhia Ofa scored a try each in the match.
Federico Serpa slotted seven conversions, while Manuel Giannantonio kicked over two.
Forwards:Jeremy Annand, Luciano Avaca, Bautista Benavides, Nicolás Cambiasso, Basilio Cañas, Fabrizio Cebron, Manuel Cuneo Camargo, Tomás Dande, Franco Marizza, Federico Narváez, Benjamín Ordiz, Joaquín Pascual Viale, Bautista Quiroga Miguens, Tiziano Rocha, Bautista Salinas Mallea, Jerónimo Sorondo, Federico Torre
Backs:Pedro Coll, Benjamín Farías Cerioni, Ramón Fernández, Manuel Giannantonio, Felipe Hygonenq, Benjamín Ledesma Arocena, Bautista Lescano, Simón Pfister, Juan Preumayr, Valentino Reggiardo, Pascal Senillosa, Federico Serpa, Laureano Valle
Ireland
Daniel Ryan crossed the try-line three times against England last weekend.
Jack Deegan and Noah Byrne scored a try each in the match.
Charlie O'Shea slotted two conversions.
Forwards: Sami Bishti, Ben Blaney, Jamie Conway, Adam Cooper, Max Doyle, Joe Finn, Rian Handley, Charlie Keane, Alex Lautsou, Duinn Maguire, Blake McClean, Donnacha McGuire, Luke McLaughlin, Dylan McNeice, Josh Neill, Diarmaid O'Connell, Paddy Woods
Backs: Christopher Barrett, Noah Byrne, Rob Carney, Jack Deegan, Daniel Green, Charlie Molony, James O'Dwyer, James O'Leary, Charlie O'Shea, Johnny O'Sullivan, Daniel Ryan, Sean Walsh, Tom Wood