World Rugby set to scrap U20s Championship due to be hosted by Italy

World Rugby are poised to formally announce the cancellation of this year’s Under-20 Championship due to the coronavirus outbreak. The age-grade tournament was due to take place in Italy from June 28 to July 18. 

However, with northern Italy one of the regions hardest hit anywhere in the world by the pandemic, a decision is believed to have been taken to scrap the twelve-country tournament that was set to be played in Calvisano, Verona and Viadana.

According to rugbyrama.fr, there have been a number of meetings and telephone calls since the start of the week to establish how international rugby can move forward with a revised calendar of competitions.  

The wisest choice regarding the U20s tournament in Italy was to cancel, especially as the number of coronavirus deaths in that country rose by a daily record of 475 on Wednesday. 

French rugby boss Bernard Laporte had admitted on Tuesday: “It will be cancelled.” 

That decision will prevent France from defending the title they won last year in Argentina It will also prevent Italy from hosting this particular tournament for the third time.  

When the pool fixtures were confirmed in January, World Rugby chief Bill Beaumont had said: “Italy have proved incredible hosts in the past and we are confident rugby strongholds like Viadana, Calvisano, Verona and Parma will deliver the best possible stage for the tournament.”

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