10 Jun 2011

Sport: World U20 Rugby Championships to start

1:51 pm on 10 June 2011

The IRB Junior World Rugby Championship kicks off on Saturday morning, with last years beaten finalists Australia opening their campaign against Tonga in Rovigo.

It's the third straight year the two under 20 sides will clash at the tournament and the Australian coach David Nucifora is expecting a typically bruising encounter.

"We seem to be joined at the hip with the Tongans so we know the sorts of challenges that the Tongans present and they'll be a really tough opening match for us."

Following the Tonga v Australia match, Fiji will face France in their first game of the tournament.