Rugby League Under-19 European Championship

Last updated
Rugby League Under-19 European Championship
Most recent tournament
Rugby football current event.svg 2024 Rugby League Under-19 European Championship
Sport Rugby league
Instituted2018;7 years ago (2018)
RegionEurope (ERL)
Holders Flag of England.svg England
Most titles Flag of England.svg England (2 titles)
Related competition Men's European Championship
Women's European Championship
Wheelchair European Championship

The Rugby League Under-19 European Championship is a rugby league tournament for men's youth national teams in Europe. The tournament was first held in 2018. [1]

Contents

History

Prior to the tournament's inauguration, a previous men's youth tournament was held in France in 2006 which saw hosts defeat England in the final. [2]

The 2018 Rugby League Under-19 European Championship was the first edition of a revised format men's youth competition for teams in Europe. [3] The tournament featured eight teams playing in a straight knockout tournament with ranking matches for the defeated sides. [4] The tournament was hosted in Serbia and saw France win the inaugural edition. [5]

The 2020 edition, scheduled to be held in Italy, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic after an initial postponement to 2021. [6]

The tournament returned in 2022, with Italy staying on as host nation. [7] The tournament format changed to a single round robin with the top four advancing to the knockout rounds. [8] England won the final.

The 2024 tournament saw Serbia return as hosts, six teams competed and saw the lowest ranked teams play quarter finals before the winners were drawn against England and France for the semi-finals. Rankings game for defeated sides were again present. [9] The United States made their debut in the tournament, [10] which saw England retained their title. [11]

The 2026 tournament will be held in France. [12]

Results

YearWinnersScoreRunners-upRef.
Flag of Serbia.svg 2018 Flag of France.svg France26–24 Flag of England.svg England [13]
Flag of Italy.svg 2020Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Flag of Italy.svg 2022 Flag of England.svg England14–12 Flag of France.svg France [14]
Flag of Serbia.svg 2024 Flag of England.svg England15–8 Flag of France.svg France [15]

References

  1. "European Rugby League Federation". europeanrugbyleague.com.
  2. Star, Morning (June 29, 2017). "Rugby League: Under-19 Euro tournament returns after a 12-year hiatus". Morning Star.
  3. "RLEF UPDATE ON EUROPEAN U19S CHAMPIONSHIP". europeanrugbyleague.com.
  4. "MATCH DAY 1 SQUADS CONFIRMED FOR U19 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS". europeanrugbyleague.com.
  5. "FRANCE WIN DRAMATIC U19 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL". europeanrugbyleague.com.
  6. "European Under-19s Championship postponed until 2021". Love Rugby League. April 23, 2020.
  7. https://europeanrugbyleague.com/articles/2182/european-u19s-championship-squads-confir...
  8. Whitelock, Adam (August 12, 2022). "European U19s Rugby League Championship format confirmed". Everything Rugby League.
  9. "SQUADS ARRIVE IN BELGRADE FOR EUROPEAN U19 CHAMPIONSHIP". europeanrugbyleague.com.
  10. "2024 European U19s Championship Adds Transatlantic Flavour". May 23, 2024.
  11. "England Community Lions U19s defeat France U19s in the European Championship Final". www.rugby-league.com.
  12. https://europeanrugbyleague.com/articles/2529/2026-european-rugby-league-u19s-champion
  13. "France 26 v 24 England". europeanrugbyleague.com.
  14. "France 12 v 14 England". europeanrugbyleague.com.
  15. "England 15 v 8 France". europeanrugbyleague.com.