“We are delighted that S4C and BBC Wales are the joint Host Broadcasters of the inaugural IRB Junior World Championship in Wales,” said IRB Tournament Manager Philippe Bourdarias. “Having the Tournament broadcast on mainstream, terrestrial television in the host country will give a significant boost in profile across the whole of Wales and in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is also a significant boost to be able to offer our global licensed broadcasters the high quality of production synonymous with the BBC and S4C’s Rugby coverage."

"The inaugural Junior World Championship looks set to break the broadcasting record for an IRB Age Grade Tournament, with 18 broadcasters in over 140 countries worldwide set to take coverage. This truly reflects the global appetite for this exciting new Tournament, while highlighting S4C and the BBC’s strong reputation for excellent Rugby production," added Bourdarias.

WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis said, “Television is a vital tool in the promotion of Rugby and this announcement adds huge value to the Junior World Championship. S4C and BBC Wales are widely respected throughout the Rugby community for their high standard of Rugby coverage and along with their commitment to live matches in Wales and throughout the UK, their production of matches for global broadcasters is already generating significant interest for an IRB Age Grade Tournament."

Viewers within Wales will be able to watch the action live on S4C and BBC 2 Wales on analogue and digital platforms, while digital viewers across the UK and Northern Ireland can access all of the live matches via the BBC Wales and S4C digital channels.

Live Matches:

(unless highlighted as red button only, all matches are available on both analogue and digital channels)

June 6: Wales v Italy (1910) BBC Wales
June 10: Wales v Japan (1910) BBC Wales & New Zealand v Ireland (2110) S4C
June 14: Australia v England (1500) BBC (red button) & Wales v France (1700) S4C
June 18: 1st Pool C v 1st Pool B (1900) BBC Wales & 1st Pool A v 1st Pool D (2110) S4C
June 22: Third place play-off (1700) and IRB Junior World Championship Final (1900) both S4C

Geraint Rowlands, Content Editor Sport S4C, said,“Rugby is a key part of S4C’s television coverage and we are enormously excited at the prospect of showcasing the future stars of the game in what will be a massive tournament for the whole of Wales. We are looking forward to being involved in what promises to be a tremendously exciting event."

"The Tournament will also have a prominent stage across S4C services including the live simulcasting of our coverage on the S4C website and as video on demand for up to 35 days after each live match and highlights programme."

“With our exclusive terrestrial highlights of the senior Wales Test matches in South Africa, the IRB Junior World Championship will offer top quality international Rugby throughout June on S4C,” added Rowlands.

Nigel Walker, BBC Wales Head of Sport said, "We are absolutely delighted to be acting as joint Host Broadcaster to the IRB Junior World Championship in Wales. BBC Wales has a long standing affiliation with Rugby Union and we are excited at the opportunity of parading the potential rugby superstars of the future to audiences throughout Wales and beyond.”

Last year’s final IRB Under 19 World Championship, held in Northern Ireland, received record television coverage with 117 hours of live rugby screened by 16 broadcasters in 139 countries worldwide with a cumulative total of 2216 hours over the three week Tournament.

The full international Tournament broadcast schedule, including where you can watch the action in your region, will be announced shortly.