The World Rugby U20 Trophy tournament is set to kick off on July 15 at the Nyayo National Stadium, and Kenya U20 day one opponent has been confirmed with thrilling fixtures lined up across all matchdays.

The tournament will consist of 16 matches played over a span of 15 days. The group stage will feature three match days, with each team playing three matches within their respective pools.

In the first match of the day, Scotland will go head-to-head with African Champions Zimbabwe at 10:00 am.

Kenya U20 hoping to shine

The second match of the day will see Samoa will face off against Kenya in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. The home team, Kenya, will enter the field hoping to make a resounding statement against a formidable Samoan side.

The afternoon session will feature Uruguay taking on the USA, and Spain squaring off against Hong Kong China.

Looking ahead, the tournament promises even more excitement as the matches progress. Match Day 2, scheduled for Thursday, July 20, will witness Samoa taking on Hong Kong China, Uruguay clashing with Zimbabwe, Scotland facing the USA, and Spain challenging Kenya.

Match Day 3, set for Tuesday, July 25, will feature thrilling encounters between the USA and Zimbabwe, Kenya and Hong Kong China, Spain and Samoa, and Scotland and Uruguay.

The pinnacle of the tournament, Match Day 4 on Sunday, July 30, will see the top teams from Group A and Group B battle it out for the ultimate prize.

The tournament winners will earn a promotion to the U20 Championship, replacing the team that finishes at the bottom of the competition, which will then drop down to the U20 Trophy in 2024.

How teams qualified

The USA secured the final spot in the World Rugby U20 Trophy field after a two-legged North American play-off against Canada, winning 82-35 on aggregate.

Having last participated in the U20 Trophy in 2016, the Junior All-Americans aim to replicate their 2012 success when they claimed the trophy on home soil in Utah.

Scotland is the only team new to the U20 Trophy, having been relegated from the U20 Championship in 2019.

The other participating teams, including Uruguay, USA, and Spain, have all previously played in the tournament, with some even securing victories.

World Rugby U20 Trophy, Nyayo National Stadium

Match Day 1 | Saturday 15 July 2023

Scotland v Zimbabwe | 10.00am

Samoa v Kenya | 12.00pm

Uruguay v USA | 2.00pm

Spain v Hong Kong China | 4.00pm

2️⃣9️⃣ Days to go.

Collins Omae’s hat trick saw Kenya 🇰🇪 defeat USA 🇺🇸 3⃣2⃣-3⃣1⃣ at the 2⃣0⃣0⃣9⃣ World Rugby U20 Trophy in Nairobi.

This year tournament returns to Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium from 15th -30th July.

Ticketing info coming soon 🎫#WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/dzU1VhN3KA

— Kenya Rugby (@OfficialKRU) June 16, 2023

Match Day 2 | Thursday 20 July 2023

Samoa v Hong Kong China | 10.00am

Uruguay v Zimbabwe | 12.00pm

Scotland v USA | 2.00pm

Spain v Kenya | 4.00pm

Match Day 3 | Tuesday 25 July 2023

USA v Zimbabwe | 10.00am

Kenya v Hong Kong China | 12.00pm

Spain v Samoa | 2.00pm

Scotland v Uruguay | 4.00pm

Match Day 4 | Sunday 30 July 2023

Group A 4^th v Group B 4^th | 10.00am

Group A 3^rd v Group B 3^rd | 12.00pm

Group A 2^nd v Group B 2^nd | 2.00pm

Group A 1^st v Group B 1^st | 4.00pm