While the future stars of world Rugby are dreaming of France 2013 and an opportunity to showcase their Test credentials at the IRB Junior World Championship, the class of 2008-2012 are preparing for a November Test campaign that will determine the composition of the Rugby World Cup 2015 pools.
Since the Junior World Championship made its debut in 2008 more than 170 players have graduated from the IRB Junior World Championship to play Test Rugby – an impressive conversion that underscores the global event as the finishing school for aspiring Test stars.
This year alone 66 players with JWC experience have made their Test debuts and with an unprecedented November schedule of international fixtures for Tier One, Two and Three nations this number could increase by as many as 30, while more than 80 existing JWC graduates have also been named in squads.
In addition, 12 match officials who cut their teeth at the Championship will be taking charge of Tests in November, including New Zealand’s Glen Jackson who will make his Test debut when England hosts Fiji at Twickenham on Saturday.
For the IRB and its Member Unions the premier age grade event has proven a pivotal platform for exposing players, coaches and match officials to high-intensity competition and educational environment that provides perfect preparation for the Test arena.
“The IRB Junior World Championship continues to provide our up and coming players with the environment to test their skills against the best in the Under 20 age group while providing important education education and match official development,” said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.
“The impressive number of players who have progressed from the Championship to play Test Rugby underscores the significant role of the event for our Unions. I am very much looking forward to seeing the players who have graduated from the Championship excelling on the Test stage as they look to realise their dreams and compete on the greatest stage of all – Rugby World Cup 2015.”
The IRB Junior World Championship 2013 will take place between June 5-23 across three venues in northern France with La Roche-sur-Yon, Vannes and Nantes all hosting matches.
South Africa will be aiming to defend their title won on home soil earlier this year with a 22-16 defeat of New Zealand before a record crowd of 35,000 at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town, becoming the first team to wrestle the distinctive trophy from the Baby Blacks’ grasp in the tournament’s history.
A number of surprise results and the final standings at JWC 2012 mean that the pools have thrown up some mouth-watering matches with South Africa facing France, England and IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy 2012 winners USA in Pool A with four-time champions New Zealand meeting Ireland, Australia and Fiji in Pool B. The remaining pool brings together Wales, Argentina, Scotland and Samoa.
