World Rugby U20 Championship and Trophy to return in 2023

The international federation today announced that the men's World Rugby U20 Championship and World Rugby U20 Trophy would be organised in 2023 following three consecutive years without age-grade global tournaments.

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.

Since the inaugural World Rugby U20 Championship in Wales in 2008, 28 players have appeared at the tournament and gone on to Rugby World Cup success, including All Blacks second-row Sam Whitelock (2011 and 2015) and Springboks’ fly-half Handré Pollard (2019).

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.

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.