- Tickets now on sale for World Rugby U20 Championship
- England face Australia, Scotland and Italy in pool stages
Tickets for the 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Championship in Manchester launched today, along with the official fixture schedule and pools.
As the England senior team head to Manchester next week for the final pool game of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, the next generation of rugby stars will be looking ahead to the age grade equivalent that kicks off in the city next June.
Hosts England will face Australia, Scotland and Italy in the pool stages of the competition, which was last year held in Italy.
England last met the Aussies at this level in June 2014. They came out on top thanks to four tries, two a-piece from Saracens duo Nathan Earle and Henry Taylor. The young English side have also recorded wins against Italy and Scotland in their last meetings, respectively.
Speaking about the competition, which will kick-off on Tuesday, June 7 at the AJ Bell Stadium, England U20 head coach Ian Peel said:
“When it comes to the U20 World Championship history doesn’t matter because it is a completely different squad each year.
“We’re just really excited that the current group will get to show what they are about against three tough teams.
“We will have played Scotland and Italy prior to the tournament in the Six Nations so will have an understanding of what they will bring. Then with Australia, it is a great opportunity for these boys to play a Southern Hemisphere team – something we don’t get to do very often.
“We have recently had one of our first camps with the wider U20 group and there is real excitement seeing just how massive the Rugby World Cup is with record crowds at lots of venues. There has been huge support not just for England but all the teams and we hope that continues for us in Manchester next year.”
Elsewhere, current title holders New Zealand will face fellow home nations Wales and Ireland in Pool A. The Baby Blacks secured the World Rugby U20 Championship title for the fifth time this season, beating England 21-14 in the decider in Italy over the summer.
“I would encourage all rugby fans, old and new, to support the next generation of players at the World Rugby U20s Championship next June in Manchester, ” said RFU Chief Executive Officer Ian Ritchie.
“As we’ve seen in the Rugby World Cup, rugby in this country is on the rise with more players, referees, coaches and supporters than ever before and the U20 Championship will only intensify that increase with yet more top class international sport on offer.