Lymm RFC to host Japan during Under 20 World Championship

Lymm RFC to host Japan during Under 20 World Championship

Lymm Rugby Club is to host Japan’s Under 20 team during the forthcoming World Rugby U20 Championship, to be held in June this year.

The Junior Rugby World Championship is an annual showpiece event for global U20 talent, which produces many of the stars of the future.

The 2016 tournament, consisting of 12 teams from across the world, is being held in Manchester from 7 June to 25 June using the AJ Bell in Salford and Manchester City Academy Stadia, and the first time the tournament has been held in Manchester

Lymm RFC is delighted to have been selected as a training venue for the competition and to host the team from Japan. The ‘Cherry Blossoms’ will be based at Crouchley Lane from 3 June for the duration of the tournament.

‘Who can forget the incredible impact the Japan senior team had on the 2015 RWC with their heart-stopping and incredible victory in their first match over South Africa?’ commented Andy Leach, head of Lymm RFC Mini and Junior Section. ‘Can their U20 counterparts have a similar impact?’

‘They have a great omen in that their opening match on 7 June at the Academy Stadium is against South Africa! I am confident the rugby club and community of Lymm will give our Japanese visitors a warm welcome, remembering of course that Japan is hosting the 2019 Rugby World Cup,’ said Andy.

Players involved in England’s past participation in this tournament include present internationals Danny Cipriani, Jack Nowell, Henry Slade, Maro Itoje and Jack Clifford and former Lymm players, now with Sale Sharks, Ross Harrison and James Mitchell.

‘Unfortunately, James’ 18-year old brother Alex Mitchell, currently with Northampton Saints, has been forced to withdraw from the current England U20 squad because of a serious knee injury,’ added Andy. ‘Hopefully, Alex will get another chance in the 2017 tournament which is to be held in Georgia.’

Participating teams include England, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, France, Argentina, Italy, Japan and Georgia.