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Delayed U20s Six Nations to be played at one venue with 26 players in each matchday squad
By Liam Heagney
This year's delayed U20s Six Nations will take place at the one venue in Wales - the Cardiff Arms Park - from June 19 to July 13 featuring matchday squads of 26 players due to the condensed format of the competition and all five matchdays will feature three matches on the one day.
According to a Six Nations statement: "The decision to hold the championship in one venue was taken to reduce the risk around travel, to ensure greater rest periods and structured training and therefore meet many of the performance opportunities lost in recent times.
"Every match will be broadcast in Six Nations territories either on terrestrial TV, broadcaster streaming platforms or via Six Nations digital channels. Scotland and Ireland will get the championship underway on June 19, followed by England vs France and Wales vs Italy on the same day.
"There was no winner of the 2020 U20s championship. 2019 champions Ireland had already secured a Triple Crown thanks to wins over Scotland, Wales and England and were vying for a repeat Grand Slam. Every other team had secured at least one win before the 2020 championship had to be called to a halt due to the pandemic.
Six Nations CEO Ben Morel said: "We are delighted to be in a position to play the U20s championship this year, having had to cancel it in 2020 due to the pandemic. The U20s Six Nations is an important milestone in the life of many young players who will pursue a career in professional rugby.
"We would like to thank the unions for their hard work in making this championship possible and our broadcasters for bringing it to the homes of rugby lovers. We are looking forward to some exciting rugby.”
WRU CEO Steve Phillips added: “The Welsh Rugby Union is honoured to be hosting the championship at the historic Cardiff Arms Park. The U20s Six Nations is a crucial pathway for players’ development as they begin their journey into senior professional rugby."
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Latest Comments
The way Ratima has been treated he needs to look OS. Same with Perofeta and Love, Hothem too. Razor is a token coach. Gives debuts but very few mins. Also DM too. Just go earn millions elsewhere DM as all you get in NZ is bagging.
BB is coaches favourite and I say let him have BB right thru to the next 2 or maybe even 3 World cups.😁😁 Have JB outside him at 12...That just works so well.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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