WALES will open their World Rugby U20 Championship against Australia before tough dates against reigning champions England and hard-hitting Samoa, writes Chris Kirwan.

The tournament is being held in Georgia in May and June with fixtures being played in Tbilisi and Kutaisi and Jason Strange's team have landed a tough draw.

They have been pitted in Pool A against the English, young Aussies and Samoa, who were promoted back to the main event after winning the World Rugby U20 Trophy in Zimbabwe earlier this year. All three games will be played at the Avchala Stadium in Tbilisi.

New Zealand will go up against Ireland, who upset them in the group stages in Manchester earlier this summer, Scotland and Italy in Pool B. Pool C sees the hosts take on Argentina, South Africa and France.

World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said: "The World Rugby U20 Championship is proving to be an enormously popular and important tournament and it plays a key developmental role in preparing the future stars of the game.

"Rugby is growing at an incredible rate in Georgia and interest is at an all-time high. I have no doubt that we'll see passionate and energetic crowds in Tbilisi and Kutaisi next year as all 12 teams put on a masterclass for fans.

"With preparations continuing for Rugby World Cup 2019, many of the players we see in Georgia could also feature on the greatest stage in Japan in just under three years' time."

Georgia Rugby Union President Gocha Svanidze said: "The whole country is excited about the fact that in less than a years' time, we will host the future stars of world rugby in Tbilisi and Kutaisi.

"Fans from all over the world can now plan their journey to Georgia to support the future stars of world rugby and experience the world famous Georgian hospitality. We all are determined that, along with the support of our national government and World Rugby, this will be one of the most successful U20 Championships."

Wales headed into the competition last summer in fine spirits after winning a first ever Six Nations Grand Slam.

However, they were edged out by both Ireland and New Zealand in the group stages before beating Scotland in the seventh-place play-off.

Wales fixtures: Australia – May 31 (Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi), England – June 4 (Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi), Samoa – June 8 (Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi)