PRFU to host Asian U-19 rugby meet

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Rugby Football Union will stage the Asian Under19s Division 2 Championships on Dec. 10 and 13 with the Volcanoes going up against tough teams from Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

“We’re very happy to be given the chance to host this tournament. It’s been three years since we fielded an Under19s team and we’re excited to give our young Volcanoes a chance to go head-to-head with our neighbors from Southeast Asia,” said Matt Cullen, PRFU’s director for Rugby.

The two-day, four-nation tournament will be played at the Southern Plains Field in Laguna.

Because of its extended absence, the Philippines is ranked fourth in the competition and will play the top seeded Singapore side in the first day with No. 2 Malaysia and third seed Thailand battling in the other match.

Aussie Stu Woodhouse, also the coach of the Volcanoes men’s 15s team, will handle the Under19s squad.

“We are aiming for at least a top two finish, so our first game is a must-win. We’ve been training the local boys for the past weeks, and the overseas players that are flying in should boost the team’s chances,” said assistant coach Jake Letts.

“Although the team has a limited time to train together as a squad, having coach Stu is a major advantage as he will no doubt get the boys ready for the tournament,” added Letts.

The Volcanoes Under19s, much like the men’s team, is a mix of home grown talent and overseas-based players with Filipino lineage. The squad of 30 players that have been selected to participate in the training camp will be reduced to 23 players before the tournament.