Toughest of group draws for Wales U-20s

WALES will line up against New Zealand, Australia and Japan in next summer’s World Rugby U20 Championship.

World Rugby announced yesterday that France will host the tournament, with pool matches being played in Beziers, Perpignan and Narbonne.

The five match days will take place on May 30, June 3, June 7, June 12 and June 17.

The tournament features three pools of four teams, with the pool winners and the best runner-up progressing to the semi-finals.

Wales will be in Pool A, while England, Scotland, Italy and Argentina are in Pool B, with South Africa, France, Ireland and Georgia in Pool C.

World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said: “The World Rugby U20 Championship is a proven finishing school for aspiring international players, with some of the biggest names in the game having graduated amongst a group of more than 550 internationals, including the likes of Beauden Barrett.

“Following the success of the last tournament in Georgia, we are delighted to be heading to France and the rugby cities of Narbonne, Beziers and Perpignan. I am sure that the championship will capture the imagination and it will be fascinating to see who graduates to Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan.

FFR President Bernard Laporte added: “We are honoured to be hosting the World Rugby U20 Championship, which plays an important role in the international development of the sport. It is a proven developer of young talent and players who graduate from France 2018 will go on to compete at the highest-level at future Rugby World Cups, including 2023 in France.”