The Junior Boks have been drawn in Pool B with Australia and hosts Italy for the 2015 World Rugby U20 Championship.

Dawie Theron's team will kick off their campaign against the hosts on 2 June 2015, before facing Samoa four days later in Parma. They will close out the pool stages with a tough fixture against Australia.

The three pool winners plus the best second-ranked team will contest the two semi-finals on Monday 15 June, with the final and final play-off matches to take place on Saturday June 20.

The tournament will see England return to defend the title they retained in New Zealand earlier this year after edging the Junior Springboks in a memorable final at Eden Park.

Pool A consists of England, France, Wales and Japan while New Zealand, Ireland, Argentina and Scotland are grouped in Pool C.

The Junior Boks, inspired by an 18-year-old Handré Pollard in the final against New Zealand at Newlands, last won the title in 2012. Coach Dawie Theron says they'll need to be at their best if they're to repeat that feat in Italy.

'The format of the competition demands that you will have to be at your very best in each match,' said Theron.

'Italy will play with a lot of passion and commitment in front of their home fans, so that will be tough opener for us.

'Samoa showed in their match against us in New Zealand that they are a very difficult team to beat, while Australia are a well-organised side and will no doubt have several players with Super Rugby experience in their squad.'

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