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After finishing as the bottom placed side in the eight team competition last year in Georgia, the Zimbabwe Under-20 side have been drawn in the same Pool against Japan, Georgia and Canada.
Pool A consists of Tonga, Chile, Russia and hosts the United States.
According to the draw that was released on Saturday morning in the United States, most of the tournament’s games will be played at Murray Field in Salt Lake City with Zimba-bwe opening the tournament with a date against last year’s runners up Japan.
The hosts will face pre-tournament favourites Tonga on the same day, while Chile face Russia with Georgia playing Canada in the eight-team event.
The format of the tournament is such that the winners of the two pools face each other in the final on June 30 to claim the title and gain automatic promotion into the IRB Junior World Championship 2013 in France.
According to a release on the IRB website, IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset said it was important that the tournament be played in the United States as the sport is enjoying rapid growth in that country.
“Rugby is the fastest growing team sport in the US and therefore it is wholly appropriate that one of our flagship events should be hosted by a country that has a huge appetite and enthusiasm for the sport.
“I am sure that Salt Lake City will be exceptional hosts and that US Rugby will maximise the potential of this event to further boost awareness and participation.
“The single venue format together with some hugely anticipated matches, including the US in action against Russia and Tonga, plus the live streaming of all matches will ensure continued exposure for a sport which is rapidly capturing hearts and minds,” said Lapasset.
Preparations are on track with tournament organisers anticipating huge interest in a sport which continues to gain significant momentum in one of the world’s major markets, particularly following the decision to admit Rugby Sevens to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
“Salt Lake City is gearing itself up for a wonderful tournament and the opportunity to showcase the Game across the country, with high-quality Rugby and some of the best young players in the world on show,” said Nigel Melville, US Rugby chief executive and president of Rugby Operations.
“This region is a hotbed of Rugby in the US, with the Game expanding in schools, high schools and through strategic college programmes. We expect thousands of fans to embrace the chance to see elite Rugby and cheer on the US team, and teams such as Tonga will also be well supported by the local population.”
The tournament will aim to exceed the record-breaking event in Georgia last year, and provide compelling and entertaining Rugby while leaving a lasting legacy for the Game in the host nation.
Russia’s Denis Simplikevich became one of the latest of more than 80 JWRT graduates to grace the world stage when he made his Test debut at Rugby World Cup last year.
Sevens star Tai Enosa plus Scott LaValla and Shawn Pittman, who have represented the Eagles at Fifteens, also cut their teeth on the world stage at IRB Age Grade tournaments.
JWRT 2012 Draw
Pool A: Tonga, Chile, Russia, USA
Pool B: Japan, Georgia, Canada, Zimbabwe
Online Reporter