The training grounds for the 12 international teams competing in the World Rugby U20 Championship in June have been selected.
The tournament is being held in Manchester throughout June, starting on the 7th June, and the twelve training venues selected are all clubs local to the area.
England U20 will train at Sale FC, whose training ground is regularly used by Sale Sharks, while Champions New Zealand will train at Broughton Park RFC, who host Uruguay during the Rugby World Cup.
South Africa, finalists when England won the competition in 2014, will train at Burnage RC, with 2013 finalists Wales training at Aldwinians.
Scotland will be based at Bury RUFC, while Ireland will be based at Trafford MV RFCC. Southern Hemisphere giants Australia will be at Bowden RUFC, with fellow Rugby Championship side Argentina at Stockport RUFC.
Wilmslow RUFC will be Italy’s training base, while the final RBS 6 Nations side, France, are based out of Ashton-on-Mersy RFC.
Rugby World Cup heroes Japan will have their U20s based at Lymm RFC, while another heroic side of the senior tournament, Georgia, will be at Widnes RUFC.
The teams selected their training bases in line with their final seeding from last year’s Championship, so Champions New Zealand picked first, second placed England, second, and so on.
Speaking at the announcement, RFU Development Director Steve Grainger said:
“It’s fantastic to see our community rugby clubs getting behind the World Rugby U20 Championship, and it’s a credit to all involved that they’ve been selected to host the competing teams. We received very positive feedback across all of the site visits, and I’d like to thank the clubs for their cooperation and enthusiasm throughout the process.”
The competition is divided between the AJ Bell Stadium and Manchester City’s Academy Stadium, and should feature some high intsentiy clashes right from the start. England and Scotland are drawn together, alongside Australia and Italy, while Wales and Ireland are also together and must face the challenge of New Zealand and Georgia. South Africa, France, Argentina, and Japan make up the final pool.
World Rugby U20 Championship Training Grounds:
Aldwinians RUFC – Wales
Ashton-on-Mersey RFC – France
Bowden RUFC – Australia
Broughton Park FC – New Zealand
Burnage RFC – South Africa
Bury RUFC – Scotland
Lymm RFC – Japan
Sale FC – England
Stockport RUFC – Argentina
Trafford MV RFCC – Ireland
Widnes RUFC – Georgia
Wilmslow RUFC – Italy
World Rugby U20 Championship Pool & Fixtures:
| World Rugby U20 Championship Pools | ||
| Pool A | Pool B | Pool C |
| New Zealand | England | South Africa |
| Wales | Australia | France |
| Ireland | Scotland | Argentina |
| Georgia | Italy | Japan |
Fixtures:
Tuesday 7th June
France v Argentina, AJ Bell Stadium, 15.15
Australia v Scotland, AJ Bell Stadium. 17.30
New Zealand v Georgia, AJ Bell Stadium, 19.45
South Africa v Japan, Academy Stadium, 15.15
Wales v Ireland, Academy Stadium, 17.30
England v Italy, Academy Stadium, 19.45
Saturday 11th June
Australia v Italy, AJ Bell Stadium, 13.30
France v Japan, AJ Bell Stadium, 15.45
South Africa v Argentina, AJ Bell Stadium, 18.00
New Zealand vs Ireland, Academy Stadium, 13.30
Wales v Georgia, Academy Stadium, 15.45
England v Scotland, Academy Stadium, 18.00
Wednesday 15th June
Argentina v Japan, AJ Bell Stadium, 15.15
New Zealand v Wales, AJ Bell Stadium, 17.30
England v Argentina, AJ Bell Stadium, 19.45
Scotland v Italy, Academy Stadium, 15.15
Ireland v Georgia, Academy Stadium, 17.30
South Africa v France, Academy Stadium, 19.45
Monday 20th June – Semi Finals Day
Saturday 25th June – Finals Day
