December 3, 2006

England will face New Zealand, Argentina and Samoa in the pool stages of next year's IRB Under-19 World Championship.

The schedule for the Belfast tournament sees England open their campaign against Samoa at Shaw's Bridge on April 5, then take on Argentina at Belfast Harlequins on April 9 before facing New Zealand at Ravenhill on April 13.

England are the number three seeds after securing third place in Dubai last season - their best-ever finish at the tournament.

"Last year was the benchmark but we have to aspire to be better," said coach Nigel Redman.

"We did great in Dubai but we weren't good enough to win the tournament. The bar has been set for us and it's up to the coaches and the players to push it higher.

"In Belfast we have an incredibly tough group of games with the physicality and flair of Samoa, the power of Argentina which their senior side demonstrated last month, and then we'll be taking on one of the best Under-19 sides in the world.

"We've got three games to get prepared early in the New Year and we'll be looking forward to this season's challenges."

Redman will name his 26-man training squad later this month and England will play games against Italy, Wales and France early next year before heading for Belfast.

The 2007 IRB Under-19 World Championship runs from April 4 to 21 and involves 24 teams split into two divisions.

England are in the top tier Division A and the results of their games against Samoa (seeded 10), Argentina (7) and New Zealand (2) will determine who they play in round four.

"The 2006 IRB Under 19 World Championship in Dubai was a huge success, serving up some exceptionally high quality rugby on the field, whilst also achieving strong attendance and record broadcast figures and leaving a lasting legacy in the Arabian Gulf," said Tournament Director Simon Jelowitz.

"Belfast has a tremendous opportunity to raise the bar. The city has a strong heritage of hosting world class sporting events and has a close association with Rugby and I am sure that next year’s tournament will be an impressive showcase of world-class Rugby and local hospitality."

England Under-19 Fixtures

January 5: England v Italy (Sunbury, 2.15pm)

March 2 or 4: Wales v England (TBC)

March 24: England v France (TBC)

IRB World Championship

April 5: Samoa v England (Shaw's Bridge, 7.30pm)

April 9: Argentina v England (Belfast Harlequins, 7.30pm)

April 13: New Zealand v England (Ravenhill, 5.30pm)

April 17: Round four and semi-finals.

April 21: Round five games and final.

ends