England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales will lock horns across May, June and July in the Four Nations Youth Championship, at both U16 and U18 age groups.

First played for in 2023, both competitions give the best young players in the Celtic Nations and from the community game in England the opportunity to earn international honours tournaments which sees each team play the other, with the nation at the top of the table crowned champions.

The U16s title, played for annually, went to Wales in both 2023 and 2024. Paul Berry, head of youth at Wales Rugby League commented: “The U16s have plenty of exciting players selected this year who have progressed through our domestic pathway via their community clubs and on into the regional programme that is thriving in South Wales. 

“We're looking forward to seeing how these boys perform on the next step of their RL journey. Our U18s will be hoping to carry on the momentum from 2024 on the back of winning their three-game series with Ireland, with a lot of last year’s successful U16s progressing into the older squad as we build for next year’s Euros.”

The U18s competition is played for biennially - with teams competing in the European U19s Championship in ‘even’ years - with England the holders from 2023. 

“At U18s we will be aiming to retain the trophy we won when the competition was last held by a squad that went on to form the majority of our 2024 U19s European Championship winning squad,” said Alan Davidson, England Community Lions programme lead.

“We will be taking the same approach over 2025 and 2026 to build a squad with a focus on retaining our European title. At U16s we have come up short against Wales in the past two years, but I expect it to be even more competitive this year.”

In the last U18s, England were pushed all the way by Ireland winning the title only on points difference.

Jim Reynolds, Rugby League Ireland chair, noted: “Two years ago our U18s side proved to be very competitive and this year's team, which will draw on the experience of those who have played in the younger age group, will look to replicate that success. 

“At U16s we are looking forward to giving players their first taste of international honours and are keen to see them perform.”

A vast amount of work has gone into creating sustainable pathways and uncovering new talent at Scotland RL.

“A significant increase in players, including domestic-based, at U16, has given the staff a selection headache this year,” said SRL operations and league director, Barry McGuffog. “The coaches have been impressed by the skill levels and attitude shown and are confident of improving on last year’s performances. The U18s have a number of new faces, and again we are excited to see what the group can achieve this year.“

U16S FIXTURES
Sat 24th May – England v Scotland – 12pm – Halton Farnworth
Sat 31st May – Wales v Ireland – 11am – The Gnoll, Neath
Sat 28th June – Ireland v England – 11am – Newforge, Belfast
Sun 29th June – Scotland v Wales – 11.30am – Biggar RFC
Sat 12th July – Ireland v Scotland – 12pm – Coolmine RFC, Dublin
Sat 12th July – England v Wales – 12pm – Halton Farnworth

U18S FIXTURES
Sat 24th May – England v Scotland – 2pm – Halton Farnworth
Sat 31st May – Wales v Ireland – 3pm – The Gnoll, Neath
Sat 28th June – Ireland v England – 1pm – Newforge, Belfast
Sun 29th June – Scotland v Wales – 1pm – Grangemouth RFC
Sat 12th July – Ireland v Scotland – 2pm – Coolmine RFC, Dublin
Sat 12th July – England v Wales – 2pm – Halton Farnworth