Sport Industry Group

Italy to host 2011 Junior Champs- 15 Feb 2010 00:00:00

The International Rugby Board has named Italy as the host nation for the annual IRB Junior World Championship in 2011.

The region of Veneto will be home to 312 under 20 players throughout June in 2011 as 12 teams compete for the trophy.

With Rugby World Cup 2011 set to kick off just a couple of months later, the tournament is designed to showcase the younger talent coming through the ranks.

Commented IRB vice chairman Bill Beaumont: ‘The International Rugby Board is delighted that the IRB Junior World Championship 2011 has been awarded to Italy. I am sure that the teams and travelling fans will be treated to a high-quality tournament set against a backdrop of outstanding hospitality and atmosphere.

‘The Championship is hugely important to the IRB in terms of providing a platform for the next generation of stars to showcase their skills on the international stage and develop into truly elite athletes. Italy certainly has all the facilities and infrastructure to ensure that the tournament will be organised to a very high standard, which is vital for its success.’

The IRB Junior World Championship has grown in stature in recent years with over 40 players having graduated from the tournament since its inauguration in 2008 to win full international caps.

The IRB Junior World Championship 2010 in Argentina kicks off on 5th June with the final being played Rosario on 21st June.

The current world champions are New Zealand, having defeated England to lift the title in Japan last summer for the second year in succession.

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