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Uruguay will host the 2017 Junior World Trophy, local rugby source Referi has confirmed. The tournament is World Rugby’s official under 20 ‘A’ competition.
Unión de Rugby del Uruguay (URU) president Sebastián Piñeyrúa commented “we are very happy that World Rugby has confirmed that we will be hosting the Junior World Trophy. It is a demonstration of trust and is also another step forward to continue consolidating rugby in our country, continue spreading it and attracting more kids to the game. It was a big challenge, but we are happy to have achieved it”.
The decision came out from the World Rugby Executive Committee meeting in Buenos Aires. Although the decision has been made and is official it has not yet been announced by World Rugby.
It is to mark the first time that Uruguay has hosted a World Rugby under 20’s competition. It is to join Argentina and Chile to give South America three hosts. Chile is a two-time host of the Junior World Trophy while Argentina is also a multiple-time previous host of the Junior World Championship.
Uruguay was competing against another former host for the rights. That country was the USA, the host of the competition in 2012. Since then it has been in Chile, Hong Kong, Portugal and Zimbabwe.
The 2017 Junior World Trophy will have eight participants. They are to compete in two pools of four which will then be followed by finals. The competition will be moved from April to August.
As the host nation Uruguay is confirmed as competing. Having been 12th in the 2016 Junior World Championship Japan will also compete. Chile is also confirmed as competing. This is the case based on Uruguay defeating Chile in the recent Junior South American Championship. Uruguay’s spot thereby goes to the next in line. The remaining spots will be taken by continental qualifiers from Africa, Asia, Europe and North America.
