USA to Host IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy 2012

USA Rugby will host the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy 2012 from 18-30 June in Salt Lake City. Rugby is taking off in the USA with participation rates making the sport one of the fastest growing team sports in the country.

Olympic re-inclusion has further boosted interest and growth and the hosts will be looking to build on the hugely successful HSBC Sevens World Series event in Las Vegas and growing support for the national team as demonstrated at Rugby World Cup 2011.

Hosts USA join Canada, Chile, Georgia, Japan, Russia, Tonga and Zimbabwe as they attempt to emulate 2011 champions Samoa by winning the title and with it promotion to the IRB Junior World Championship 2013 in France.

The eight participating teams will be split into two pools of four, with double headers played across four match days.

The tournament will aim to exceed the record-breaking event in Georgia, and provide compelling and entertaining rugby whilst leaving a lasting legacy for the game in the host nation.

“The IRB is committed to the development of the game around the world and the USA is a very important and exciting market for rugby. We now have a 10 year tours and test schedule that will see major international teams touring north America starting this year, while Sevens is really taking off. Schools are increasingly looking to rugby as a force for social and sporting integration and USA Rugby is reaching out to more men, women and children than ever before,” said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset. “The IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy has consistently proven that it is a major tournament on the global rugby calendar. It's blend of entertaining, high-quality matches always captures the imagination and I am sure that USA 2012 will be no different. The legacy for rugby in the host union and participating teams is proven and long lasting.”

USA Rugby will seek to build on the outstanding tournament hosted in Tbilisi last year, which saw record fans and increased broadcast coverage coupled with some of the world’s best young players. Russia’s Denis Simplikevich became one of the latest of the 82 JWRT graduates to grace the world stage when he made his Test debut at Rugby World Cup 2011.

Tai Enosa, Scott LaValla and Shawn Pittman who now play regularly for the Eagles at fifteens and Sevens, also cut their teeth on the world stage at IRB age grade tournaments.

“We are very proud to be hosting the JWRT,” said USA Rugby CEO and President of Rugby Operations, Nigel Melville. “I know the American rugby community will embrace this great tournament and I’m confident that we at USA Rugby will deliver an impressive event.”

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