| This evening (Friday), Shaws' Bridsge plays host to the Division B final (7.30pm) which promises to be a keenly contested encounter between Italy and Canada. There's everything to play for with the winner for the match gaining promotion to Division A for next season's tournament.
So far Italy have been the dominant force in Division B, having won four games out of four and scored 133 points on their way to the final but Canada have played some good rugby so far and despite the absence of key players Sean White and Matt Evans through injury, Canadian Coach Gary Johnston is confident his team can make a big impression and is pleased by the way other players have taken on the responsibility themselves.
“Nathan Hirayama, the new captain, got into his kicking game a little better against Georgia. The big surprise is Thyssen De Goede and his growth curve has been tremendous over here.
“Keegan Selby our openside flanker has just been brilliant. We didn’t expect him to get into that starting spot, but he earned it on merit and no one will take it away from him.”
While Italy and Canada contest top spot in Division B, the other 10 teams are fighting it out for places at Queens, Malone and Bangor, full fixture list below.
Meanwhile preparations are also complete for the tournament showpiece, the Division A final between South Africa and New Zealand which will be played at Ravenhill tomorrow (Saturday 21st April) at 7.30pm.
It's a SUPER SATURDAY at Ulster Rugby HQ - the gates open at 2pm with Ireland in action at 3pm against Scotland, beaten semi-finalists Australia and Wales contesting 3rd place at 5.30pm and then the grand final at 7.30pm followed by the trophy and medal presentations.
The other games in Division A will be played earlier in the day at Shaws Bridge (1.30pm and 3.30pm) and Deramore (3.30pm), allowing all the teams to meet at Ravenhill to watch South Africa and New Zealand in action in what promises to be an extremely entertaining match.
Tickets for the matches at Ravenhill are available to purchase up until 5pm today (Fri) from the Ravenhill Ticket Office, or on the gate at all the grounds.
DIVISION B MATCHES - FRIDAY 20TH APRIL
11th Place Play off
17.30 – Chinese Taipei v Cook Islands, Malone, Belfast
9th Place Play off
17.30 – Romania v Russia, Queens, Belfast
7th Place Play off 19.30 – Chile v Zimbabwe, Malone, Belfast
5th Place Play off
19.30 – Uruguay v Tonga, Queens, Belfast
3rd Place Play off
18.00 – Georgia v USA, Bangor
DIVISION B FINAL
19.30 – Canada v Italy, SHAWS BRIDGE
DIVISION A MATCHES - SATURDAY 21ST APRIL
11th Place Play Off
15:30 Fiji v Japan - Belfast Harlequins, Belfast
9th Place Play Off
15:00 Scotland v Ireland - Ravenhill, Belfast
7th Place Play Off
13:30 Argentina v Samoa - Shaw's Bridge, Belfast
5th Place Play Off
15:30 England v France - Shaw's Bridge, Belfast
3rd Place Play Off
17:30 Australia v Wales - Ravenhill, Belfast
FINAL
19:30 South Africa v New Zealand - Ravenhill, Belfast
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