2017 Pacific Challenge Cup kicks off on March 10 [1]
Sunday, March 5, 2017 - 21:07. Updated on Saturday, March 11, 2017 - 13:02.
The 2017 World Rugby Pacific Challenge tournament will kick-off this Friday in Suva, Fiji.
Tonga A will play the hosts, the Fiji Warriors. Junior Japan will take on Samoa A on the same day. Tonga A's squad has not yet been officially announced.
The Fiji Warriors are the defending champions. They dominated last year's competition, beating Tonga A (56 - 18), and winning the final against Samoa A (36 - 0).
Tonga A will be looking to improve from last year's competition where they suffered big defeats against Samoa A (50 - 0) and Junior Japan (26 - 8).
The World Rugby Pacific Challenge tournament has been held annually since 2006, and is primarily a development focused competition for local rugby players in the Pacific Islands.
2017 World Rugby Pacific Challenge schedule
10 March
Junior Japan V Samoa A (3pm)
Fiji Warriors V Tonga A (5.30pm)
Tuesday 14 March
Samoa A V Tonga A (3pm)
Fiji Warriors V Junior Japan (5.30pm)
Sat 18 March
Tonga A V Junior Japan (12.30pm)
Fiji Warriors V Samoa A (3pm)