Rugby U20 World Championship 2025: The Future of Rugby Decided in Italy

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Basic Information:

  • Tournament: World Rugby Under 20 Championship 2025
  • Dates: June 29 - July 19, 2025
  • Venues: Calvisano, Rovigo, Verona and Viadana (Italy)
  • Participants: 12 teams in three groups
  • Defending champions: England
  • Format: Groups + knockout stages
  • Broadcasting: World Rugby platform, national sports channels

From June 29 to July 19, 2025, the picturesque cities of northern Italy will host the 15th edition of the World Rugby Under 20 Championship. Twelve of the planet's best teams will battle for the prestigious trophy that defending champion England will seek to retain.

The Italian summer will belong to rugby's stars of tomorrow. Three weeks of packed programming will bring countless talents and battles that will determine the future of world rugby.

Format and Venues

The championship will be hosted by four cities in the Lombardy and Veneto regions - Calvisano, Rovigo, Verona and Viadana. The tournament is divided into three pools of four teams each, with group winners and the best runner-up advancing to the semifinals.

"We have selected four cities with rich rugby traditions that will provide perfect backdrops for this prestigious event," states the organizing committee. "The stadiums will be packed with passionate Italian fans who will create an electrifying atmosphere for these young talents."

The unique tournament format ensures that every team plays throughout the entire tournament. Teams that don't advance to the semifinals will compete for final placings in separate knockout matches.

Pool A: "Pool of Death"

The most loaded pool of the tournament includes two former champions and two other strong teams:

England - defending champions and four-time winners (2013, 2014, 2016, 2024) enter the tournament as one of the main favorites.

South Africa - 2012 champions, eager to improve after disappointment on home soil in 2024. They have an interesting curse - 12 semifinal appearances but only two finals.

Australia - twice finalists (2010, 2019), hungry for their first title. Their physically dominant team could surprise.

Scotland - returning to the tournament for the first time since 2019 after winning last year's U20 Trophy, full of enthusiasm from their return to the elite.

Pool B: French Dominance

France - winners of three consecutive tournaments (2018-2022) and last year's finalists. Their youth development program has become a model for other nations.

Argentina - unpredictable team with renowned South American temperament that can surprise with passionate play.

Wales - traditional participants with rich history in this tournament.

Spain - only their second tournament appearance after debuting in 2024.

Pool C: New Zealand Challenge

New Zealand - record six-time champions, winners of U20 Rugby Championship 2024. They dominated this year's U20 Rugby Championship with a dramatic 48-45 victory over South Africa.

Ireland - 2023 finalists, still waiting for their first title. They have the best generation of young players in recent years.

Italy - home team with the advantage of raucous crowds, who could reach the semifinals for the first time in history.

Georgia - physically dominant team from a country with growing rugby tradition, never an easy opponent.

Future Stars

The tournament will showcase numerous future world stars:

Tommaso Bertolini (Italy)

The home hope and Italian team captain is considered the most talented young rugby player the country has produced in the last decade. The winger with exceptional speed has already appeared for senior team Benetton Rugby.

Jaiden Barrett (New Zealand)

Younger brother of famous All Blacks Beauden, Scott and Jordie Barrett, he combines tactical maturity with creativity and natural talent.

Kylian Mblangu (France)

The speedy winger with roots in the Democratic Republic of Congo scored five tries in four matches in this year's U20 Six Nations.

Marcus Jenkins (England)

The defending champions' captain is a classic English forward in the front row. At just 19, he debuted in the Premiership for Exeter Chiefs.

Ethan van der Merwe (South Africa)

The crushing defender at 198cm and 110kg combines athletic ability with raw power typical of South African players.

Historical Context

The tournament has a rich history with several dominant teams:

  • New Zealand - with six titles, the most successful team in history
  • England - four-time champions with a record ten final appearances
  • France - winners of three consecutive tournaments (2018, 2019, 2022)
  • South Africa - 2012 champions with a curse of semifinal defeats

France has dominated recently, winning three tournaments in a row before losing last year's final to England.

Tournament Expectations

Experts agree this year's tournament will be exceptionally balanced. England will want to defend last year's victory, New Zealand seeks to return to the top, France aims to confirm their dominance, and South Africa wants to break their semifinal curse.

Beyond the title itself, this represents the first major showcase of talent for professional club scouts and national team selectors. Many players could earn their first professional contracts through their performances.

Schedule and Broadcasting

  • Tournament opening: June 29, 2025
  • Pool stages: June 29 - July 9, 2025
  • Semifinals: July 14, 2025
  • Final: July 19, 2025

The tournament will be broadcast live on the World Rugby platform, with selected matches also available on national sports channels.

Expected Results

Based on current form and tournament history, a final between England and New Zealand is anticipated. Likely semifinalists include New Zealand, England, France, and South Africa.

Home team Italy could be the tournament's surprise thanks to home advantage and a strong generation of talent.

The World Rugby Under 20 Championship is traditionally a launching pad for future icons of the sport. Perhaps at this tournament we'll see future Webb Ellis Cup winners or stars of upcoming Six Nations editions.

Thanks to World Rugby for the data.

Photo: World Rugby Media

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