European rugby league u19s championship expands to 10 nations
Author : European Rugby League
European rugby league u19s championship expands to 10 nations
The fourth European Rugby League U19s Championship will expand to a record ten nations when it takes place at the Centre de Ressources, d’Expertise et de Performance Sportive (CREPS), Font Romeu in the Catalonian Pyrenees between 10 and 19 July 2026.
Norway and Greece will make their tournament debuts, while Wales and Ireland return to the Championship after last competing in 2022 in Italy. Then, Wales achieved a bronze medal in the Championship and Ireland were crowned Shield champions.
Rugby League Norge president, Anne Haigh, commented: “We have been developing our youth programme for some time and played several games at both U16s and U19s already. It is time that we tested ourselves in a competitive environment and give our youth players the opportunity to experience such big a tournament. We’re very much looking forward to travelling to France and being part of the event.”
“Its great news for the Greek Rugby League Federation that we are able to move forward and compete in the European Rugby League U19s Championship in 2026,” said GRLF official,
Terry Liberopoulos. “We are aiming to further progress and become full members of International Rugby League, and a key part depends on the growth of our youth programme. Having the opportunity to represent their country will be a massive motivator for the young people playing rugby league in Greece.”
The quartet join reigning champions England, hosts France, Scotland, Serbia, Ukraine and USA, the young Hawks continuing their participation from the 2024 tournament in Belgrade when they made their bow, the Americas coming under ERL jurisdiction.
France won the 2018 tournament with a narrow 26-24 victory over England in the final but were beaten 14-12 in 2022’s decider by England, the English going on to become back-to-back champions in 2024 after coming from behind against France to triumph 15-8.
“I’m very pleased that we have been able to grow the competition to ten nations,” said ERL chair Dean Andrew.
“The appetite for youth rugby league in Europe is growing and each of the competing nations is built on the back of active youth programmes in the respective countries showing that they are on solid foundations and thinking about their future supply of players.
The U19s Championship is always an exciting event and adding a further dimension to it with new competitors will generate even more interest.”
The format and fixtures for the European Rugby League U19s Championships will be confirmed in early 2026.
More posts from this section
- Jack Brown Wins International Rugby League Wheelchair Golden Boot Award
- Maltese Juniors Score 98 Points In Representative Pathway Success
- Sharks devoured in road win
- England Community Lions Youth squad named
- St. Helens Academy Lose Out In Season Opener In London
- Turkey Complete Inaugral Junior Season
- NZ Juniors surge to second spot
- European U19s Rugby League Championship Moved To 2021
- Rugby League Federation Ghana Launches Pretty Girls Play Rugby League (Pgprl) Campaign
- Under 15’s Championship To Kick Off This Weekend In Port Vila
- Diamonds Take Out Opening U15s Clash
- Ifira Blackbirds To Make Their Under 15s Debut
- Albanian Youngster Signs with St. Helens
- Inaugural Samoan School of Origin series to kick off today
- Black Birds Hold Diamonds To A Draw To Setup Thrilling Finish In U15s Championship
- 2020 New Zealand Resident 16s Squad Named
- NZ Residents V NZ Maori Residents And NZEL Schools V Clubs Matches Locked In
- Marist win inaugural School of Origin series
- Ba wins Fiji Under-19 title
- Second Phase of Port Moresby RFL competitions to kick off this weekend
- Kila Kila and ECEM progress in Port Moresby Schoolboys Finals
- Finalists for Port Moresby Schools tournaments decided
- Kolkata hosts Rugby League India’s first tournament for 2020
- South Ikebukuro Rabbitohs launch Japan’s first Junior teams
- Draw released for inaugural New Zealand National U20s Competition
- Fiji given permission to restart Schools competitions
- England Academy Rugby League Set For March Return
- NZRL and ARL Announce Major Shift For Junior Rugby League
- Fijian Secondary Schools Girl’s Nines kicks off tomorrow
- Saint Vincent Eagles Wins Vodafone Soqoiwasa Trophy
