Rugby: Singapore to host Asian Rugby U-19 Championship for the first time

The Singapore Under-19 rugby team after beating Thailand 22-5 in a play-off final in Manila on Dec 13, 2014. PHOTO: SINGAPORE RUGBY UNION

Singapore will host the Asian Rugby Under-19 Championship for the first time from Dec 12-20 at the Yio Chu Kang Stadium.

The winners of the four-team tournament will represent Asia at the second-tier World Rugby U-20 Trophy in Zimbabwe next April.

Singapore's U-19 outfit, who won the Asian division two title last year, will battle for a spot with favourites Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and Chinese Taipei.

"The boys are training hard every week. This is a great opportunity for them to test their skills against the best youths rugby players in Asia. We are aiming to put up a strong display for our friends and family," said national U-19 coach Hadizan Jaaman.

The annual Causeway Challenge between the U-23 teams of Singapore and Malaysia will also be played on the final day of the youth tournament. Singapore will look to avenge a 15-11 loss last year when the competition was held in Malaysia.

Singapore Rugby Union president Low Teo Ping said: "Even though Singapore is working on the World Rugby Sevens Series, we cannot forget about our local, regional and youth tournaments.

"We need to grow rugby from youth to national level in Singapore and in the region as well."

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