Gosper: "Spotlight on U20 Championship in a Rugby World Cup year"

The World Rugby U20 Championship kicks off in Italy on Tuesday - and it could have a bearing on Rugby World Cup 2015.

The future stars of world rugby will be looking to impress national team coaches when the action gets underway in Calvisano and Parma, with extended Rugby World Cup squads still being named.

With a clear and proven high performance pathway from the U20 Championship to Rugby World Cup, many former under-20 players have already been called into Rugby World Cup training squads in the last few days and more could make the jump over the coming weeks.

Almost 350 players have made the step from the age-grade tournament to the international test arena and World Rugby Chief Executive Brett Gosper says the competition is a garden of development for the future stars of the game.

"The World Rugby Under 20 Championship represents an exciting opportunity for the next generation of stars to claim a place at Rugby World Cup 2015," said Gosper.

"It adds an extra dimension to what promises to be an incredibly competitive event in Italy, with the spotlight on the players and national team coaches taking interest.

"This tournament, with its intensity and learning environment on and off the field, will prepare players for that call up, should it come," he added.

The annual tournament is also an opportunity to develop the next generation of top referees with many RWC 2015 officials having cut their teeth at U20 Championship level. The tournament also has educational benefits with players attending anti-doping, social media and integrity workshops during the U20 Championship, which runs from 2-20 June in Parma, Viadana and Calvisano, with the final in Cremona.

For more information, contact:

Eoin McHugh

Tournament Communications Manager, World Rugby

T: +353-1-240-9214 / +353-86-0212-196

E: eoin.mchugh@worldrugby.org

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