Belfast to stage Under-19 World Championship

The International Rugby Board (IRB) have confirmed that the IRFU will be the host union for next year's Under-19 World Championship. The IRFU have, in turn, announced that the Ulster Branch will oversee the preparations for the tournament that will be staged in Belfast.

The competition will feature 24 teams and take place over three weeks from April 4th-21st.

"The IRB is delighted that Ireland and the city of Belfast will host the IRB Under-19 World Championship next year," the IRB chairman, Ulster's own Syd Millar, said. "Ireland has a rich rugby heritage and I am sure that the tournament will generate a great deal of excitement and interest throughout the city and the wider rugby community.

"Age-grade rugby competitions are an integral part of the rugby calendar and are central to the game's growth and development. The IRB Under-19 World Championship gives rugby's rising talent exposure to competitive tournament conditions at an early age, and some of the players who will compete in Ireland next year will be among the international stars of the future.

"We have an obligation to prepare these stars of tomorrow in the best way that we can," Millar said. "Exposure to anti-doping protocols, disciplinary procedures, heightened media attention, high-quality opposition and the tournament camp environment ensures that the Under-19 World Championship plays a key role in preparing players for the full international stage."

Ireland won the tournament in 1998, when the beat France in the final at Toulouse, and acquitted themselves well this year when they finished fifth - Australia beat New Zealand in the final - in Dubai.

Gavin Henson has withdrawn from Wales' two-Test summer tour to Argentina to regain full fitness ahead of next year's World Cup.

The Ospreys centre missed the first half of this season after undergoing a groin operation and still feels some way short of peak condition.

Henson joins fellow senior internationals Martyn Williams, Stephen Jones, Robert Sidoli and Michael Owen in being rested for the tour.

RUGBY FIXTURES

FRIDAY

Celtic League: Llanelli v Ulster, Stradey Park (7.10).

SATURDAY

European Cup Final: Munster v Biarritz Olympique, Millennium stadium (3.0).

SUNDAY

European Challenge Cup Final: Gloucester v London Irish, The Stoop (12.15).