U-21 pools, seeds announced

THE pools, seedings and schedule have been announced for the IRB U21 World Championship in France.

Ireland, seeded ninth, begin the campaign against the fourth-seeded host nation on Friday, June 9 at Issoire. They play Argentina at Cournon on Tuesday, June 13 and Georgia on Saturday, June 17 at Issoire.

Champions South Africa top the seedings and begin their defence against fifth seeds Argentina before further matches against Georgia and host nation France in the pool stages.

Second seeds Australia, runners-up in the 2005 tournament in Argentina, open their campaign against Scotland. Third seeds New Zealand start against Italy.

The tournament will see the 12 sides play across four pools at a total of six venues: Riom, Issoire, Thiers, Cournon d’Auvergne, Vichy and, for the semi-finals and final, Clermont Ferrand’s Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin, which is the 14,000-capacity home of Heineken Cup side ASM Clermont Auvergne.

The 11th seed and final place at the championship will be decided in March, going to the winner of the Oceania qualifying tournament to be held between Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.

For more details go to www.irbu21.com.