Youth Atlantic Touch Cup 2025 Preview: Limerick Set to Host Touch Rugby’s Rising Stars

From July 31 to August 3, the University of Limerick will welcome the global youth Touch Rugby community for the Atlantic Youth Touch Cup, a festival of non‑contact rugby featuring under‑15s through under‑20s across boys, girls, and mixed divisions England Touch+14internationaltouch.org+14I Love Limerick+14. With 45 teams representing 12 nations, this edition is twice the size of Nottingham 2023, marking it as the largest-ever youth international Touch event in Ireland internationaltouch.org+4internationaltouch.org+4England Touch+4.

🌍 Who’s Competing and What Makes It Special?

Teams from China, South Africa, the Cayman Islands, Ukraine, Portugal, Belgium, France, Wales, and more will converge on UL, reflecting the sport’s growing global reach internationaltouch.org+1irishrugby.ie+1. Notably, Ukraine and Portugal will be fielding youth teams at FIT’s international level for the first time Ireland Touch+3internationaltouch.org+3irishrugby.ie+3.

England Touch is sending its largest ever squad: 11 teams, 173 players, from 79 schools and 45 clubs across England.

🔥 Teams and Players to Watch

England Mixed 15s and Mixed 18s impressed in Nottingham, finishing fourth in 2023. Keep an eye on those squads to challenge again at Limerick irishrugby.ieEngland Touch.

England Men’s 20s and Women’s 20s bring a wealth of talent, from university and club players with elite-level rugby experience England TouchEngland Touch.

Emerging teams like South Africa Girls 18, France Boys 18, and newcomers from Ukraine Mixed 18 offer unpredictable matchups and exciting potential.

🎙 Social Media Buzz & Pre-Tournament Insights

Team announcements on social platforms have already generated excitement. England’s wide geographical and school-based representation means athletes will be carrying local pride as well as national ambition.

Clubs like Nottingham, Exeter, Bristol, Bath, Cambridge, and Maidenhead feature prominently in the England squads, a blend of school-based and club-trained talent, signaling depth and grassroots growth Limerick+6England Touch+6internationaltouch.org+6.

🌟 Why This Tournament Matters

This is not just a competition—it’s a milestone for youth development in Touch Rugby:

• It continues the expansion of global Touch pathways, especially in youth categories.

• It connects schools, clubs, and countries through competition and cultural exchange.

• It showcases how non-contact formats can build confidence, skill, and inclusivity at scale.

For England, involvement from nearly 100 schools alone indicates just how widespread and diverse participation has become GoFundMe+9England Touch+9irishrugby.ie+9.

🔭 Looking Ahead: What to Expect in Limerick

Expect high-tempo games packed with spatial awareness, rapid passing, and tactical flair. Mixed gender formats, wide age categories, and broad international involvement mean every match promises something fresh—from skill development to personal stories.

Keep an eye on England’s most experienced U20s as potential leaders and standouts. And watch emerging nations like Ukraine and Portugal—they could surprise on their international debut.

Above all, this tournament is about showcasing Touch’s role in youth rugby—a pathway from schools into international competition, built on participation, inclusion, and pure enjoyment.

📅 At a Glance

Detail	Info
Dates	July 31 – August 3, 2025
Venue	University of Limerick, Ireland
Teams	45 teams from 12 nations
Age Categories	U15, U18, U20 – boys, girls, mixed
England Team Size	11 teams, 173 players, 79 schools
Highlights	New nations (Ukraine, Portugal), strong England presence, international growth across all grades

The Youth Atlantic Cup is more than a tournament. It confirms Touch Rugby’s emergence as a global youth sport, uniting players from nearly every corner of the world in competition and community.

Who will be the standout teams? How will new countries shape the narrative? It all starts this summer in vibrant Limerick.