Australia U20s unveil packed 11-game season featuring major tournaments

The next generation of Australian rugby stars will get an opportunity to wear the gold jersey against international opposition from next month, with the Australia U20s unveiling an 11-game season schedule that includes the World Rugby Junior World Championship.

Coach Chris Whitaker has selected a 32-player squad for a training camp in Coffs Harbour, ahead of a clash with the Fiji U20s on April 8. Australia will also face a Japan U23s outfit on April 11 before shifting their focus to The Rugby Championship U20.

SANZAAR confirmed last week the third edition of The Rugby Championship U20 will be held at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, South Africa, from April 27 to May 9. New Zealand U20 took out the title at the very same stadium last year.

Australia open their TRC U20 campaign against New Zealand on April 27, before taking on hosts South Africa and Argentina. The Australians will then play one more match before the Junior World Championships, facing GPS Rugby Club at Brisbane’s Ashgrove Sports Ground.

Spain, Fiji and France will be Australia’s three pool-stage opponents at the World Championships, which will be played at AIA Arena in Kutaisi, Georgia. Australia complete their season with two seeding matches on July 12/13 and July 17/18.

Reigning Global Youth Sevens MVP Treyvon Pritchard, who debuted at Super Rugby Pacific level for the Queensland Reds earlier this month, headlines the Australian squad for the training camp on the north coast of New South Wales.

New South Wales have 13 prospects in this squad, while 11 representatives from Queensland have also been chosen. The ACT Brumbies have seven players name, while Jasper Asi is the sole talent chosen from the Western Force.

“After a competitive Super Rugby Next Gen competition to begin the year, we are pleased to name an exciting 32-man squad for our first camp of 2026,” Whitaker said.

“Coffs Coast Festival of Rugby gives us our first chance to start building connection on-and-off the field.

“We are looking forward to using this week as a springboard to build towards a strong Junior World Championship campaign in Georgia.”

Match 1: Australia U20 v Fiji U20 at Verge Street Oval, Kempsey on Wednesday 8 April at 17:00 (local time).

Match 2: Australia U20 v Japan U23s at Coffs International Stadium on Saturday 11 April at 19:00 (local time).

Matchday 1: Australia U20 v New Zealand U20 on Monday 27 April at 14:00 (local time).

Matchday 2: Australia U20 v South Africa U20 on Sunday 3 May at 16:10 (local time).

Matchday 3: Australia U20 v Argentina U20 on Saturday 9 May at 14:00 (local time)

Pool Match 1: Australia U20 v Spain U20 on Saturday 27th June at 20:30 (local time).

Pool Match 2: Australia U20 v Fiji U20 on Thursday 2nd July at 15:30 (local time).

Pool Match 3: Australia U20 v France U20 on Tuesday 7th July at 18:00 (local time)

Seeding Match 1: Australia U20 v TBC on Sunday/Monday 12/13 July (local time)

Seeding Match 2: Australia U20 v TBC on Friday/Saturday 17/18 July (local time)