Pools and venues announced for JWC 2009
The International Rugby Board has announced the pools, dates and venues for the IRB Junior World Championship 2009 in Japan.
Reigning champions and number one seeds New Zealand top Pool A in Nagoya and will be joined by Argentina, Ireland and Uruguay, who will be playing in their first Championship after earning promotion after winning the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy 2008.
Tokyo is the base for Pool B where hosts Japan will face number two seeds England, Samoa and Scotland. Pool C is headed by South Africa, who finished third in 2008, while France, Italy and Fiji will also play their pool matches in Osaka. Wales, the Championship hosts in 2008, are top seeds in Pool D in Fukuoka, and are joined by Australia, Canada and Tonga.
The opening round of matches will be played on June 5, with subsequent pool fixtures played on June 9 and June 13, before Tokyo hosts the semi-finals on June 17, with the IRB Junior World Championship final played in Tokyo on June 21.
We will post the full Championship schedule when it is announced soon.
Pools
IRB Junior World Championship 2009 Pools
Pool A: New Zealand, Argentina, Ireland, Uruguay
Pool B: England, Samoa, Scotland, Japan
Pool C: South Africa, France, Italy, Fiji
Pool D: Wales, Australia, Canada, Tonga