Luca Morisi was an obvious choice for the ambassador for the World Rugby Under 20 Championship in Italy.

The pacy centre, who's from the Lombardy region where the tournament will be held next year, started his rugby career in Milan's historic clubs and continued at the Italian Union's "Ivan Francescato" Rugby Academy. After playing for all the Italian junior sides he made his debut for the senior national team against England in February 2012 at the Stadio Olimpico on a snowy day when he was only 20 years old.

Morisi plays as a centre for Italy and Benetton Treviso, and has been capped eight times by country. He was part of the team that won the Junior World Rugby Trophy in 2010 and also played in the Under 20 Six Nations the following year that concluded with a victory over Scotland in Stirling. He was called up again for the first Junior World Championship to be held in Italy in June 2011, although he had to follow the event from the sidelines due to injury.

"Participating in the U20 World Championship when it's taking place in your own country is a fantastic opportunity both from a personal and a rugby perspective," said Morisi.

"The tournament is key to success for those who want to earn their spot on the international stage. A lot of athletes I play or have played with in the past now play for their senior national teams, which is why hosting such a prestigious event again is going to be a great opportunity for our Game."

In coach Jacques Brunel's Italian side that face South Africa - the world's second-best ranked team -  on Saturday at the Stadio Euganeo in Padova, there will be five players who have graduated to the national side after competing in what was then known as the Junior World Championship before earning their first cap. These include Morisi, fellow centre Michele Campagnaro, wing Leonardo Sarto, scrum-half Edoardo Gori and second row Joshua Furno.

Great memories

“These are great memories for all of us and I'm personally really excited that I will be experiencing such a thrilling moment again in June  - if only as a spectator - when Italy host the Under 20 Championships," added Morisi.

Calvisano, Parma, Viadana and Cremona - with the final being played at Stadio Zini in Cremona - are the venues that will host the future stars of world rugby from June 2-20. 

“I am now 22 years old and I am lucky enough to have witnessed the impressive growth that rugby has undergone in Italy since entering the Six Nations Championship.

The Under 20 Championship was a key event for the promotion of our game and further development has taken place since - the Italian senior national team now plays at Stadio Olimpico in Rome before an amazing, passionate crowd and the rugby movement is continuing to grow in Italy.

"I am certain that the U20 World Championship being held in Italy again in June next year will allow our supporters to watch new talents grow and will ultimately contribute the further development of the game."