Rugby Union names national youth teams
THE Zambia Rugby Union (ZRU) has unveiled squads for the under-18 and under-20 youth teams set to enter camp this month ahead of the upcoming international rugby championships.
The Rugby Union conducted national Under-18 and Under-20 trials at Green Eagles Rugby Club in Kabwe on Saturday February 9, 2019.
The final trials attracted players from as far as Livingstone, which lies approximately 500 plus kilometers south of Lusaka.
From the 105 initial list which was compiled from both Copperbelt and Midlands, 15 more boys were given a chance to showcase their rugby prowess
Speaking after the trials, ZRU communications manager, Tom Chaloba said that the trials were at national level as they featured players from various regions.
“After a rigorous selection process, the selection committee has picked 15 players for Under-18 and Under-20 players who will go for residential camp for the upcoming international tournaments,” Chaloba said
“We are keen on giving our young players as much exposure on the international scene as possible, hence all these programs being undertaken in this regard”
Zambia will participate in the Barthes Under-20 Rugby Tournament scheduled to take place in March this year.
The Under-20 Barthes trophy is the only Under-20 tournament organised by Rugby Africa. The competition brings together 12-National teams under the age of 20
The under-20 Barthes 2018 trophy will be composed of three level groups in which each team will play two games.
Pool-A games will be held on 27 and 30 March 2019 with host Namibia, Tunisia, Kenya and Senegal expected to do battle.
Pool-B games will be held in Zimbabwe and consists of hosts Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, Morocco and Madagascar while Pool-C games will be held in Uganda and consists of host nation Uganda, Algeria, Zambia and Ghana.
The winner of the hen c will be promoted in the hen b, the winner of the hen b will be promoted in the hen a, the loser of the hen a will be relegated to the hen b, the loser of the hen b will be relegated C, and the loser of the hen c will leave a new team in 2020.