The Ireland Under-20s, sponsored by PwC, will open their IRB Junior World Championship run against hosts South Africa when the tournament gets underway on Monday, June 4.
Mike Ruddock’s young Ireland side are currently preparing for their final Six Nations match against England on Friday night, hoping to make it five successive wins and claim a Grand Slam.
Today saw the announcement of the match schedule for the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship, so the Ireland Under-20s’ summer plans have already been mapped out.
After opening the pool stages against the South Africans, Ruddock’s charges will renew rivalries with England on Friday, June 8, before a final pool clash with Italy on Tuesday, June 12.
Those three Pool B games will all take place at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch. The Ireland U-20s lost to both England and South Africa when finishing eighth at last year’s Junior World Championship in Italy.
With IRB officials currently in Cape Town for key preparation meetings, planning and preparation for the 2012 JWC is on track, record television coverage secured and public anticipation is building as the world’s best players at Under-20 level prepare to compete in South Africa’s rugby hotbed.
Oregan Hoskins, IRB Vice Chairman and South African Rugby Union (SARU) President, said: “We are committed to delivering a world class tournament for players and fans.
“Those attending the Championship will be treated to triple headers featuring the best up-and-coming players in the world, a feast of quality entertainment on and off the field and attractive ticket prices.
“We will continue to work extremely hard in partnership with the IRB to ensure the delivery of a successful tournament that will benefit the game in South Africa where the appetite for world class rugby is huge, our supporters are passionate and our hospitality exceptional.”
IRB tournament officials have spent three days with SARU representatives fine-tuning final preparations for what promises to be a memorable event.
IRB Tournament Director Philippe Bourdarias said: “We have completed a comprehensive round of site visits this week and I have no doubt the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship will be a very special event in a country which is world renowned for its exceptional tournament management.
“The JWC will be watched by millions of fans across the world thanks to an unprecedented television platform by SuperSport, while we are confident that the rugby-loving public in and around Cape Town and Stellenbosch will ensure that all match days are well attended, generating a uniquely South African atmosphere.”
Following the completion of the pool stages, the teams will be seeded one to 12 based on their pool positions for the semi-finals and play-off matches on Sunday, June 17.
The final will be played on Friday, June 22 at the Danie Craven Stadium, with a full schedule of matches at both venues that day to determine the final standings.
IRELAND UNDER-20S’ IRB JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES:
Monday, June 4 –
South Africa Under-20s v Ireland Under-20s, Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch, 6.45pm local time/4.45pm Irish time
Friday, June 8 –
Ireland Under-20s v England Under-20s, Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch, 6.45pm local time/4.45pm Irish time
Tuesday, June 12 –
Ireland Under-20s v Italy Under-20s, Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch, 2.45pm local time/12.45pm Irish time
Sunday, June 17 – Play-Offs
Friday, June 22 – Play-Offs
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