JWC- pools are drawn for Argentina.

The International Rugby Board has announced the dates, match schedule and pools for the IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina.

Following the most successful IRB Junior World Championship to date in Japan this year, which was screened live by 16 broadcasters to 135 countries and saw crowds exceed 100,000, the annual showpiece development competition will be played in the Litoral region from Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 20.

"The IRB Junior World Championship is essential for the development of elite international players and officials and I have no doubt the UAR will host a colourful, exciting and passionate event," said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

The new format sees 12 teams in three Pools:

Pool A: New Zealand (holders), Wales, Samoa and Fiji
Pool B: England, France, Ireland and Argentina
Pool C: South Africa, Australia, Scotland and Tonga

"We are looking forward to an intense festival feel to the Junior World Championships in Argentina with 30 matches concentrated in one region. The reduction to 12 teams will create a more competitive tournament from round one," said IRB Tournaments Manager Philippe Bourdarias, in Buenos Aires for the announcement.

"We are proud to be hosting the IRB JWC 2010 in a region of Argentina rich in Rugby heritage. We look forward to welcoming the teams here next year and using the tournament to galvanise interest in the sport amongst our young people," said UAR President Porfirio Carreras.

Opening matches include hosts Argentina taking on 2009 runners-up England in Rosario, whilst holders New Zealand start their title defence against Fiji in Paraná.

The IRB Junior World Championship provides the future stars of the Game with a platform to improve their skills in a format which replicates a Rugby World Cup.

In 2008, players to graduate from the Junior World Championship to their full international sides included Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), David Pocock (Australia), Andrea Bacchetti (Italy) Morgan Parra (France) and Matias Fonseca (Uruguay). while with Aaron Cruden (New Zealand) and Robert Ebersohn (South Africa) stared for their countries in the 2009 tournament.

The IRB Junior World Championship will provide a further boost to the ongoing development of Rugby in South America, in particular the UAR's High Performance strategy which is funded through the IRB's Strategic Investment Programme resulting in an annual investment of US$2 million.

Source: IRB.com