22 May 2015

The World Rugby U20 Championship will be broadcast on Welsh TV channel S4C – with all of Wales' games shown live. The channel has secured the rights to broadcast the tournament in the Welsh language in both 2015 and 2016.

The World Rugby U20 Championship is the highest level international competition in the under 20 years-old age-group. The 2015 event which is to be held in Italy between 2 and 20 June kicks off when Wales and France go head-to-head live on S4C from 3.10pm on the opening afternoon of the tournament.

Also currently scheduled live are Wales' other group stage games against Japan and arch-rivals, England. Wales' subsequent games in the tournament will also be covered live (scheduling to be confirmed according to results) and World Rugby U20 Championship will culminate on S4C on 20 June when the final is broadcast live.

Gareth Roberts will present S4C's coverage of this global U20s event, with match commentary from Cennydd Davies and Gareth Rhys Owen, who will be joined by a range of experienced rugby figures who will share their expertise and match analysis. Coverage will be produced for S4C by Sunset+Vine Cymru and SMS production companies.

The World Rugby U20 Championship is part of a huge year of rugby on S4C. This September the channel will also play host to Wales' campaign in the 2015 Rugby World Cup. But the U20s Championship is all about the stars of the future.

S4C's Sports Editor, Sue Butler said; "U20s Rugby has changed gear over recent years. It has gone from being a development opportunity, to being recognised as a spectacle of rugby in its own right. S4C's rugby audience has high expectations – and they have come to value U20s competition as some of the most entertaining rugby available. We're extremely proud to be able to broadcast the World Rugby U20 Championship live on S4C."

WRU chairman Gareth Davies added, "We are delighted that S4C will broadcast all of Wales' World Rugby U20 Championship games next month. That unprecedented level of commitment from our broadcast partner shows the importance S4C places on Under 20 rugby in Wales, a key element of the Welsh Rugby Union's strategy to develop top class players for our regions and national team."

Murray Barnett, Head of Commercial, Broadcast and Marketing at World Rugby said; "We are delighted to be partnering with S4C - a broadcaster that is passionate about rugby and about this tournament. The U20 Championship promises to be an exciting event in Italy this year, where the future stars of rugby will showcase their talent in what will be rugby’s biggest-ever year."

ENDS