World Rugby U20 Championship & trophy to return in 2023
After three cancelled editions (2020-22), rugby’s two biggest U20 tournaments will return in 2023.
To replace the popular U20 competitions in 2022, World Rugby is working with its regions and unions to identify and financially support meaningful alternatives in the forms of regional tournaments to overcome the pandemic challenges and international travel difficulties.
The announcement reinforces World Rugby’s commitment to the U20 pathway to promote the sport’s international competitiveness, providing rugby’s future stars a platform to shine before reaching Test level with more than 1,400 players having made that step after playing in the U20 Championship or Trophy.
World Rugby Chaiman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “Our U20 tournaments have been widely popular since their inception and have proven to be a successful pathway for young talents in our unions to flourish, gain international experience and prepare for test rugby.
“Promising rugby players all over the world have been denied a chance to compete at the highest level for too long and we are delighted to confirm the return of our World Rugby U20 Championship and U20 Trophy in a very special year for the sport.”
After successful campaigns in 2018 and 2019, the two-time defending champions France will look to add another U20 Championship title in 2023 and pave the way for their senior side when France hosts Rugby World Cup a few months later.
World Rugby U20 Championship 2023 participating unions: Argentina, Australia, England, Fiji, France, Georgia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, Wales.
Dates and hosts of the World Rugby U20 Championship 2023 and World Rugby U20 Trophy 2023 will be announced in due course.
