Rugby League Under-19 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]

Rugby League Under-19 European Championship
Most recent tournament
2024 Rugby League Under-19 European Championship
SportRugby league
Instituted2018; 6 years ago (2018)
RegionEurope (ERL)
HoldersEngland England
Most titlesEngland England (2 titles)
Related competitionMen's European Championship
Women's European Championship
Wheelchair European Championship

History

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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 itial 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]

Results

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Year Winners Score Runners-up Ref.
2018   France 2624   England [12]
2020 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2022   England 14–12   France [13]
2024   England 15–8   France [14]

References

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