Scotland set to welcome future stars

England to face All Blacks in Under-21 Championship opener

Reigning champions New Zealand face a tough opening test to their IRB Under-21 World Championship defence with a Day One match-up against 2004 U21 Six Nations Grand Slam winners England.

Meanwhile, hosts Scotland kick off their campaign against 2002 champions South Africa, and also face England and Russia in their pool matches.

From 11-27 June five venues in Scotland will play host to world rugby's most formidable young talent over five match days, with games held in Glasgow, Edinburgh and the Borders.

IRB U21 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
June 7 - 28, 2004
(All kick-off times GMT)

Day One - Friday, June 11:

New Anniesland, Glasgow:
Ireland v Tonga (16.00)
Australia v France (18.00)

Raeburn Place, Edinburgh:
Italy v Argentina (16.00)
Scotland v South Africa (18.00)

Netherdale, Galashiels:
Wales v Russia (16.00)
New Zealand v England (18.00)

Day Two - Tuesday, June 15:

Dumbreck, Glasgow:
Argentina v Ireland (16.00)
Wales v South Africa (18.00)

Raeburn Place, Edinburgh:
New Zealand v Russia (16.00)
Tonga v Australia (18.00)

Netherdale, Galashiels:
Italy v France (16.00)
Scotland v England (18.00)

Day Three - Saturday, June 19:

Hughenden, Glasgow:
Scotland v Russia (13.30)
New Zealand v South Africa (15.30)

Raeburn Place, Edinburgh:
Ireland v France (13.30)
Wales v England (15.30)

Netherdale, Galashiels
Italy v Tonga (13.30)
Australia v Argentina (15.30)

Semi-finals - Wednesday, June 23:

The teams competing for the first four places will play in two semi finals at Hughenden, Glasgow, the first kicking off at 17.00, the second at 19.30.

Teams competing for 5th to 8th place will play in semi-finals at Netherdale and Raeburn Place, while teams competing for 9th to 12th place will play in two semi-finals at Netherdale Raeburn Place.

Finals - Sunday, June 27:

New Anniesland, Glasgow:
9th/10th place play-off (09.45)
7th/8th place play-off (12.00)

Dumbreck, Glasgow:
11th/12th place play-off (09.45)
5th/6th place play-off (12.00)

Hughenden, Glasgow:
3rd/4th place play-off (12.45)
Final (15.15)

* Adult tickets for each double-header cost £10. Along with tournament passes they can be bought through local rugby clubs; in person at the SRU Ticket Centre, Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh (which also accepts postal applications); via the Scottish Rugby website (www.scottishrugby.org) or via the credit card hotline - +44 (0)870 040 1925.