The 2022 edition of the World Rugby U20 Championship is in doubt as World Rugby considers regional alternatives similar to last year’s U20 International Series hosted in Stellenbosch. DYLAN JACK reports.

The future of the tournament was thrown into question when, in an interview with El Observador, Uruguay Rugby president Santiago Slinger claimed that there will be no U20 World Championship this or next year.

“There will be no World Cup this year or next year,” Slinger said. “The tournament in South Africa that we had in 2021 is not confirmed, we are working with World Rugby to see what we can do.”

The 2020 and 2021 editions of the U20 Championship were called off due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

SA Rugby and World Rugby were able to organise an International Series in 2021, where the Junior Springboks played in a tournament against Argentina U20, Uruguay U20 and Georgia U20.

“Discussions are ongoing regarding the World Rugby U20 Championship 2022 and nothing has been decided yet,” a World Rugby spokesperson told SARugbymag.co.za.

“We are considering different options and should it not be possible to organise a global tournament this year, World Rugby will identify and support regional alternatives similar to the tournament organised in South Africa last year and mentioned by Santiago Slinger in his interview.”

World Rugby has yet to confirm a host for 2022, a sign that the tournament may not go ahead this year.

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