World Rugby U20 Championship returns to Italy

The World Rugby U20 Championship is heading back to Italy, 10 years after the country last staged the event, with the 2025 tournament running from 29 June to 19 July.

International rugby’s premier age-grade competition has been held there twice before, in 2011 and then again in 2015, when Azzurri captain Michele Lamaro played in the tournament.

Countless other current Six Nations players, including the likes of George Ford, Tadhg Furlong, Scotland duo Jamie Ritchie and Blair Kinghorn, and Wales’ Tomos Williams also graced that tournament, which was won by New Zealand after a 21-16 victory over England in the final.

The pools have been confirmed for the 15th edition of what has become known as the Junior World Cup, with the four host cities of Calvisano, Rovigo, Verona and Viadana hosting matches across the three rounds of pool matches on 29 June, 4 and 9 July.

How the pools line up: Pool A: England (1), Australia (6), South Africa (7), Scotland (12); Pool B: France (2), Argentina (5), Wales (8), Spain (11); Pool C: New Zealand (3), Ireland (4), Georgia (9), Italy (10).

The knockout stages begin on 14 July with finals day taking place on 19 July to determine the final placings of the 12 teams with the Stadio Maria Battaglini in Rovigo to host the 2025 title decider. Kick-off times are still to be finalised and the full match schedule will be confirmed in due course.

England are the defending champions, having beaten three-time winners France 21-13 in the 2024 final in Cape Town, South Africa, while Scotland will return to the U20 Championship for the first time since 2019 after winning last year’s World Rugby U20 Trophy on home soil.

Lamaro, who captained the U20s before going on to lead Italy at senior level, said:  “The World Rugby U20 Championship is one of the first, most defining moments a young player can face at international level. It is a lifetime experience. You’re away from home for a long time and you can develop yourself both as a player and as a human being, playing alongside your best peers in the world and creating life-lasting bonds.

“I lived the World Rugby U20 Championship with many team-mates with whom I’m currently playing on the test arena, and we all have such pleasant memories of the competition. I encourage all the players that will showcase their talents in the Championship to fully embrace the moment, as it will be a crucial milestone both in their career and their lives.”

Antonella Gualandri, Federazione Italiana Rugby (FIR) Vice-President and Organising Committee Chairman, is thrilled that Italy has been selected as the host venue.

He said: “The World Rugby U20 Championship comes back to Italy 10 years after a very successful edition, which culminated in a thrilling final in a packed Cremona stadium between England and New Zealand, and we cannot be more excited.

“The U20 Championship is the ultimate platform for the future stars of international rugby and hosting the very best prospects of the game will not only bring some spectacular action to our passionate fans in northern Italy, but will also grant a solid legacy to our grassroots clubs, who can’t wait to host the teams at their training facilities, establish relations and make memories that will last forever.

“Calvisano, Viadana and Rovigo have already successfully hosted the World Rugby U20 Championship back in 2011 and 2015 and they will be formidable venues for the teams, as will be Verona, a newcomer set for its debut as an international venue with its brand-new Payanini Center. The stage is set for an event the players, the teams, volunteers and our youngsters will never forget.”