2013 IRB U20s World Cup Draw

Thanks to NumptyFora's mishandling of last year's team Australia will have it tough this year up against Ireland, Fiji and the Baby Blacks. Only the pool winners and the best looser make it to the semis. The games are all in Brittany which is not exactly the home of French Rugby but c'est la vie

Tough draw for Baby Boks at 2013 JWC from Planet Rugby/IRB

Defending champions South Africa were drawn alongside hosts, France, England and the USA for next year's IRB Junior World Championship.

The Championship, which will be held from June 5 to 23, is firmly established as one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the annual international Rugby calendar, showcasing the future stars of rugby and the host nation in a competition that serves up a feast of excitement and highly-competitive matches to a television audience in more than 160 nations.

The 2013 format will feature three venues with each hosting a pool. Stade Henri Desgrange in La Roche-sur-Yon will host Pool A matches.

The Stade de la Rabine in Vannes will host Pool B, while Rugby World Cup 2007 host venue Stade Pascal Laporte in Nantes will host Pool C matches.

The semi-finals and IRB Junior World Championship Final will be played in Vannes. The pools have been set on rankings based on results at the previous championship which was held in Cape Town earlier this year.

2012's runners-up New Zealand, Ireland, Australia and Fiji are in Pool B, while Wales head Pool C which also includes Argentina, Scotland and Samoa.

The Baby Boks will open the tournament on Wednesday, 5 June against the United States in La Roche-sur-Yon. Four days later they face powerful England at the same venue and then end their pool commitments against hosts, France, on June 13.

The 2012 Championship set the benchmark for future hosts to follow with record attendance and broadcast figures, while 35,000 fans saw history being made as South Africa defeated New Zealand to become the first team other than the Baby Blacks to lift the coveted trophy in the five-year history of the event.

France 2013 aims to stamp its own mark on hosting the Championship with the venues set to showcase rugby to the people of northern France, while an inspiration programme will aim to grow participation within the region.

The 2013 Junior World Championship pools are:

Pool A: South Africa, France, England, USA
Pool B: New Zealand, Ireland, Australia, Fiji
Pool C: Wales, Argentina, Scotland, Samoa