Australia U20 Head Coach Chris Whitaker has named his side to take on France U20 in a winner-takes-all Pool D decider on Tuesday in Kutaisi, Georgia, making eight changes to the starting XV and relying on three ACT Brumbies for the must-win showdown.
The winner between the Aussies and Six Nations U20 champions France will finish top of Pool D and secure a place in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Rugby U20 Championship.
Kingbenjamin Swerling-Finaipepe and Lehopoame Leota, who both ply their trade in France, will get their first start together in the front row, joining Brumbies hooker Ewald Kruger.
The second row remains intact, with William Ross and Toby Brial rewarded for their strong performances in Australia's victory over Fiji.
Luca Cleverley and captain Tom Robinson return to the starting side after being rotated last week, while in-form Brumbies back-rower Eli Langi completes the back row.
The halves pairing is unchanged from Australia's opening match against Spain, with Angus Grover and Finn Mackay leading the side around the park.
There is just one change to the backline from the win over Fiji, with Cooper Watters replacing HIA casualty Taione Taka on the wing.
Loosehead Jacob Job, who started Australia's opening two matches, moves to the bench alongside replacement hooker John Grenfell and tighthead Edwin Langi. Versatile back-rowers Isaac Fonua and TJ Talaileva round out the forward reserves.
Backs Sam Blank and Charlie Bird are joined by potential debutant and Brumby Riley Whitfeld, who linked up with the squad last week following fellow Brumby Chayse Geros' tournament-ending injury.
Australia U20 Head Coach Chris Whitaker said:
"From our first match on the Coffs Coast, to the Rugby Championship in South Africa, to our opening games here in Georgia, these are the types of opportunities we have been preparing for.
"We know what sort of challenge France are going to pose and we will be ready to take on the fight."
Match Details: Australia U20 v France U20 at AIA Arena, Kutaisi on Wednesday 8 July at 00:00am (AEST). Every match at the 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championship will be streamed live on Stan Sport Australia U20 team list v France U20: 1. Kingbenjamin Swerling-Finaipepe 2. Ewald Kruger 3. Lehopoame Leota 4. William Ross 5. Toby Brial 6. Luca Cleverley 7. Tom Robinson (c) 8. Eli Langi 9. Angus Grover 10. Finn Mackay 11. Cooper Watters 12. Treyvon Pritchard 13. Zach Fittler 14. Tom Farr-Jones 15. Wallace Charlie Substitutes 16. John Grenfell 17. Jacob Job 18. Edwin Langi 19. Isaac Fonua 20. TJ Talaileva 21. Sam Blank 22. Charlie Bird 23. Riley Whitfeld
Pool D U20 Standings heading into Round 3: 1) Australia - 10 points (+104) 2) France - 10 points (+55) 3) Spain - 2 points (-93) 4) Fiji - 0 points (-66)
