Rugby Australia has announced the creation of the Super Rugby Next Gen competition in 2026.
The three-week competition will feed into the Australia U20s program, held in February, and will replace the Super Rugby U19s.
Watch every match of Super Rugby Next Gen LIVE on Rugby.com.au's YouTube
It has been strategically placed to align with the Rugby Championship U20s in April, with the World Rugby U20s to be held in July in Georgia.
While the competition is focused on the U20s group, clubs will be permitted to field players over the age of 20 in 2026.
It will kick off on February 7 in Sydney as U19s champions NSW Waratahs taking on the Western Force.
On the following day, the ACT Brumbies will face the Queensland Reds in Canberra.
"From a high performance perspective, Super Rugby Next Gen is an opportunity for the best emerging talent in our Super Rugby programs to test themselves ahead of another big year for the Australia U20s and Super Rugby clubs," RA GM Men's High Performance and Competitions Ben Whitaker said.
"It is designed to complement the Super Rugby pathways competitions we have had in place over the last four years.
"While it is a relatively short competition, we believe its position in the calendar will help drive positive outcomes for the national U20 program, while unearthing new talent for our Super Rugby clubs to tap into through the year.
"The Super Rugby clubs perform an important and effective role in developing this tier of talent and Next Gen will further support this great work.
"We hope Next Gen also excites rugby fans across the country, who will be able to check out some of the future Wallabies making their way through the national pathway.
All Super Rugby Next Gen games will be live-streamed on Rugby.com.au.
ROUND 1
NSW Waratahs v Western Force - Sat 7 Feb - Sydney
ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds - Sun 8 Feb - Canberra
ROUND 2
Western Force v ACT Brumbies - Sat 14 Feb - Perth
Queensland Reds v NSW Waratahs - Sun 15 Feb - Brisbane
ROUND 3
Western Force v Queensland Reds - 21/22 Feb - Perth
NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies - Sun 22 Feb - Sydney
