Six Nations Rugby has today confirmed that it will be staging an Under-20 Summer Series in Italy, and featuring teams from the Six Nations as well as South Africa and Georgia.

The tournament will take place in place of the World Rugby U20 Championship which will not return until 2023.

It gives an opportunity for the Irish team who won the Six Nations Grand Slam earlier this year to celebrate on a wider international stage.

The Under-20 Summer Series will be made up of two pools, and three rounds and will end with cross pool matches.

Ireland are in a powerful looking Pool A alongside England, South Africa and France, with their matches held at the Payanini Center in Verona.

Pool B will be made up of Scotland, Wales, Georgia, and hosts Italy, with all games played at Stadio Di Monigo, in Treviso.

All the matches will be streamed via the Six Nations Rugby U20 YouTube channel

“Six Nations Rugby is committed to providing the best possible rugby pathway to allow unions, nations, players, and coaches to develop, and the chance to stage an Under-20 Summer Series is an exciting opportunity to support this commitment,” said Julie Paterson, Director of Rugby at Six Nations Rugby.

“The absence of a World Rugby U20 Championship this year means South Africa and Georgia will also be competing in the Series, which will provide added opportunities for teams to test themselves against new opposition.”

“Italy as a host nation for the Series is a testament to the Federation’s vision to grow rugby at all levels in the country, which is showing rewards on the International and domestic stage.”

“U20 tournaments have proven to be a successful pathway for young talents in our unions to flourish, gain international experience and prepare for test rugby,” added World Rugby President Sir Bill Beaumont.

“Before the global World Rugby U20 Championship and Trophy return next year, we are delighted to support our unions and Six Nations Rugby in delivering the Under-20 Summer Series, a fantastic opportunity for promising rugby players to compete at the highest level.”

Ireland will play France at 8 PM on Friday 24th June; South Africa on the 29th at the same time and England, again at 8 PM on Tuesday 5th July.

We spent a day in the company of the team at a special session in the offices of PwC earlier this week where they learned lessons from the world of the workplace relating to psychology and performance that we hope will help them add to what has already been such a winning year.

 

 

Sport for Business Partners