The schedule for the 2019 World Rugby U20 Championships in Argentina has been confirmed.

Running from Tuesday 4^th June until the finals on Saturday 22^nd June the Championships will consist of five rounds of games at three locations, Ateneo Inmaculada in Santa Fe, and the Racecourse Stadium and Club Old Resian, both in Rosario.

It will be Argentina’s second time hosting the World Rugby U20 Championships, having done so in 2010 as well. They have also hosted the U19 and U21 versions back in 1997 and 2005 before the 2008 age-grade shake up that saw the inaugural World Rugby U20 Championships, then called the IRB Junior World Championships, take place in Wales.

France are the reigning champions having won on home turf last year, becoming the first side to break the ten year stranglehold on the tournament of New Zealand, South Africa, and England, who have reached the last six finals in a row.

As champions, France are drawn in Group A alongside the hosts, Argentina. For company they also have Wales, losing finalists in 2013 and 7^th place finishers last year, and Fiji, promoted this year as winners of the World Rugby U20 Trophy.

Group B sees England bid for that 7^th final in a row and fourth title overall. They are joined by Australia, 5^th last year, Italy, 8^th, and Ireland, who finished a disappointing 11^th last year but did reach the final in 2016, where they lost to England.

Group C sees two of the four former champions of the tournament go head to head, New Zealand and South Africa. The two met in last year’s third place play-off, South Africa winning 40-30 against the six time champions. Joining them are Scotland, who finishing 10^th last year after a best ever 5^th place finish the year before, and Georgia, 9^th last year, both of whom will be desperate to avoid the relegation pitfall that sees the 12^th place finishing side after the knockouts drop to the World Rugby U20 Trophy.

The Pools see each side play the others once, with matchdays on Tuesday 4^th June, Saturday 8^th June, and Wednesday 12^th June. From there the semi final draws are decided. The top side from each group and the best runner up reach the main semi finals, with the remaining two runners up and the best two third placed sides meeting in the 5^th-8^th place semi finals. The 9^th-12^th place semi finals see the bottom sides from each group and the remaining third place side compete.

Semi finals take place on Monday 17^th June, with the finals for each individual placing taking place on Saturday 22^nd June.

Commenting on the tournament, World Rugby Vice-Chairman and Rugby Americas President Agustín Pichot said:

“The U20 Championship has proven itself to be a very important competition for the uncovering and development of the future stars of our game and attracting new, young fans to the sport. With Rugby World Cup 2019 on the horizon these young players will have no shortage of inspiration to take the next step towards fulfilling their rugby dreams.”

“The 2018 edition of the U20 Championship in France was an outstanding success and it is a great honour for Argentina to take the pass and host this prestigious competition. The 12 participating nations will experience a warm Argentinian welcome and we look forward to an excellent tournament with enthusiastic fans and spectacular action on the field of play.”

2019 World Rugby U20 Championship Groups:

2019 World Rugby U20 Championship Schedule (All times BST):

Matchday 1 – Tuesday 4^th June

Argentina v Wales: Pool A – Racecourse Stadium, Rosario, 5pm

Australia v Italy: Pool B – Ateneo Inmaculada, Santa Fe, 2.30pm

England v Ireland: Pool B – Ateneo Inmaculada, Santa Fe, 7.30pm

France v Fiji: Pool A – Racecourse Stadium, 7.30pm

New Zealand v Georgia: Pool C – Ateneo Inmaculada, Santa Fe, 5pm

South Africa v Scotland: Pool C – Racecourse Stadium, Rosario, 2.30pm

Matchday 2 – Saturday 8^th June

Argentina v Fiji: Pool A – Ateneo Inmaculada, Santa Fe, 5pm

Australia v Ireland: Pool B – Ateneo Inmaculada, Santa Fe, 2.30pm

England v Italy: Pool B – Ateneo Inmaculada, Santa Fe, 7.30pm

France v Wales: Pool A – Racecourse Stadium, Rosario, 5pm

New Zealand v Scotland: Pool C – Racecourse Stadium, Rosario, 7.30pm

South Africa v Georgia: Pool C – Racecourse Stadium, Rosario, 2.20pm

Matchday 3 – Wednesday 12^th June

England v Australia: Pool B – Ateneo Inmaculada, Santa Fe, 7.30pm

France v Argentina: Pool A – Racecourse Stadium, Rosario, 5pm

Georgia v Scotland: Pool C – Racecourse Stadium, Rosario, 2.30pm

Italy v Ireland: Pool B – Ateneo Inmaculada, Santa Fe, 2.30pm

South Africa v New Zealand: Pool C – Racecourse Stadium, Rosario, 7.30pm

Wales v Fiji: Pool A – Ateneo Inmaculada, Santa Fe, 5pm

Matchday 4 – Monday 17^th June

Semi Finals

1 seed v 4 seed – Racecourse Stadium, Rosario, 7.30pm

2 seed v 3 seed – Racecourse Stadium, Rosario, 5pm

5^th-8^th Semis

5 seed v 8 seed – Racecourse Stadium, Rosario, 2.30pm

6 seed v 7 seed – Club Old Resian, Rosario, 7.30pm

9^th-12^th Semis

9 seed v 12 seed – Club Old Resian, Rosario, 5pm

10 seed v 11 seed – Club Old Resian, Rosario, 2.30pm

Matchday 5 – Saturday 22^nd June

Final – Racecourse Stadium, Rosario, 7.30pm

3^rd Place Play-Off – Racecourse Stadium, Rosario, 5pm

5^th Place Play-Off – Racecourse Stadium, Rosario, 2.30pm

7^th Place Play-Off – Club Old Resian, 7.30pm

9^th Place Play-Off – Club Old Resian, Rosario, 5pm

11^th Place Play-Off – Club Old Resian, Rosario, 2.30pm