The Federação Portuguesa de Rugby (FPR) will organise the event after receiving the backing of the Portuguese Olympic Committee and local Government, with dates for the tournament yet to be finalised.

The National Sports Centre of Jamor, currently undergoing renovation and will hold 7,000 spectators, will host pool matches along with the final round of games, while pool matches will also take place at the Lisbon University Stadium.

"The awarding of the hosting rights for the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy 2015 is a huge encouragement for us and another great opportunity to emphasise our ability to organise such events," said FPR President Carlos Amado da Silva.

"We are delighted to have earned the IRB's trust and are excited at the possibility to stage such an important event.

"This tournament is probably the most important rugby event to be organised in Portugal.

"The enthusiasm with which Government and local officials have supported this initiative and the growing passion of our youth for this fantastic game are also good indicators for the success of this tournament.

"The FPR is grateful for the confidence shown by the IRB and we will do everything possible to justify the choice of Portugal as proud hosts of the Junior World Rugby Trophy 2015."

Japan celebrate winning the Junior World Rugby Trophy in Hong Kong earlier this month after defeating Tonga ©Getty Images



Next year will be the seventh edition of the tournament and the third time it will be held in Europe following Russia in 2010 and Georgia in 2011.

The inaugural event took place in Chile in 2008 and editions have been held in Kenya in 2009, the United States in 2012 and Chile again last year.

Italy are the only nation to have claimed the title twice, while earlier this month Japan won the competition for the first time when they overcame Tonga in the final in Hong Kong, to be crowned 2014 champions.

The tournament is the second level of competition for national under-20 teams and the winner each year gets promoted to play in the following year's Junior World Championship, which is the highest level of competition for international sides at that age-group.

"Since its inception in 2008, the Junior World Rugby Trophy has established itself as an important development tournament for young players from emerging Unions," said International Rugby Board (IRB) head of competitions and performance, Mark Egan.

"More than 170 of them have gone on to represent their country at senior level demonstrating the Junior World Rugby Trophy's role as a finishing school for top players.

"The FPR put together a great bid with some exciting opportunities to promote the tournament and grow the game in Portugal.

"I have no doubt they will host an excellent tournament next year.

"We are particularly pleased that games will be hosted at the National Sports Centre of Jamor.

"That facility, which is used as the high-performance centre for Portugal's national teams, has been renovated thanks in part to a significant contribution by the IRB under our strategic investment programme."

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