Eight highly skilled team captains from various countries assembled on West Sands Beach in St Andrews, Scotland, on Saturday to prepare for the much-anticipated World Rugby U20 Trophy 2024. The historic location for this gathering has garnered international attention as it was prominently featured in the iconic film Chariots of Fire.
The tournament is set to commence on July 2nd with four matches at the Hive Stadium, beginning at 11:45 local time (GMT+1). Rugby enthusiasts can look forward to an exhilarating start, as the event will also serve as an opportunity to trial and implement newly approved laws by the World Rugby Council.
For those unable to attend the matches in person, the tournament will be broadcasted globally through various media partners, with the additional benefit of free coverage of the matches provided by RugbyPass TV.
The opening match will witness Japan facing off against Hong Kong China, with Yoshiaki Taian, captain of Japan, expressing his team’s determination to emerge victorious. “We are committed to giving our best performance in this tournament. It is crucial for us to win each game, and we aspire to achieve triumph in all of them and proceed to the Championship,” stated Taian.
Meanwhile, the host nation Scotland is eager to leave a lasting impression on the tournament, as articulated by captain Liam McConnell, “The entire squad is eagerly anticipating this tournament on home soil and has been rigorously training to hopefully accomplish something remarkable.”
The competition will also feature Uruguay, victors of the inaugural U20 Trophy in 2008, along with Kenya, the Netherlands, USA, and Samoa, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the event.
With every team vying for victory, the stakes are undeniably high. The tournament is not only poised to determine the U20 Trophy’s champion, but also the team that will earn promotion to the World Rugby U20 Championship in 2024.
In addition, the tournament will incorporate new fan-centric law adaptations, as well as the trial of six laws, including a streamlined red card sanction process.
Enthusiasts of the sport will be able to follow the proceedings through various media partners, including BBC Alba for Scotland matches, Japan Rugby Football Union for Japan’s matches, and RugbyPass TV for global coverage.
The tournament, with capable match officials such as Ru Campbell, Ethan Glass, and Katsuki Furuse overseeing fair play, promises to be a riveting event that will showcase the talents and determination of the next generation of rugby stars.
With the anticipation continuing to mount, rugby enthusiasts from across the globe eagerly await the commencement of the World Rugby U20 Trophy and the unforgettable moments it is certain to deliver.