A reminder that a very important initiative starts on 4 July. A new offspring of the Six Nations sees the equivalent U20 squads meet in Parma, to dispute three rounds of matches.
The second round plays on 9 July, the third on the 14th.
That means it will not take the same format as its big sister. Each team will play just the three matches, but the overall effect is dramatic. All six nations will now have the opportunity to test themselves against opposition, to check how well their different pathway systems are working out.
The management teams have the chance to exchange notes, to see what aspects of their programme shows them ahead of the pack, or behind. This pooling of information will be one of the less obvious benefits of the scheme.
The schedule looks like this:
First round: France v Wales; England v Ireland; Italy v Scotland
Second round: Ireland v Italy; France v Scotland; Wales v England
Third round: Ireland v Scotland; Italy v Wales; England v France
Kick-offs: the early games start at 09.00; the middle games at 17.30; the late games at 20.00 (all BST times)
This version of the 6N builds on three years of the equivalent U18 festival, so helps to provide a natural progression for players. Even so, there will be a huge difference in experience among the six squads, bringing together players already attached to their full national team and others who are fledglings by comparison.
That is one reason why three U23 players each are permitted , to offer a helping hand onfield.
Coverage:
This will come live on the Six Nations Rugby U20s YouTube channel
