Australia U20 Head Coach Nathan Grey has announced a 40-player squad, including nine NSW players, to assemble in a training camp ahead of a packed 2024 calendar for junior international Rugby.
Assembling at the Australia Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra, on February 25, the squad will prepare for their upcoming trials against Sydney University, and the Brumbies Runners XV on 3 March at the AIS Rugby Field.
The trials represent the last opportunity for Australia’s best U20 talent to make their claims to be selected for the national team that will contest the first-ever Junior Rugby Championship on the Sunshine Coast in April.
Commenting on the squad selection, Australia U20s Head Coach, Nathan Grey said:
"This camp is a great opportunity to bring the best U20s players in the country together and build on the satellite spot camps that have occurred over the past two months.
"These players will be able to showcase their training and work ethic over 10 days, bond as a unit, and then test themselves in a trial situation as they face off against Sydney University, and the Brumbies Runners XV.
"With a big year of international Rugby ahead of us, this camp and trial is an invaluable experience for these players, and we're looking forward to getting stuck in."
Australia U20 Trial Squad:
Waratahs
- Jack Barrett – Prop - Randwick Rugby Club
- Jullien Caillol – Centre - Sydney University
- Ben Di Staso – Backrow - Eastern Suburbs
- Bryn Edwards - Hooker - Sydney University
- Aden Ekanayake – Backrow - Gordon Rugby Club
- Oniti Finau - Hooker / Backrow - Eastwood / Barker College
- Ollie McCrea – Lock - Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club
- Archie Saunders – Winger - Warringah Rugby Club
- Hwi Sharples – Halfback - Sydney University
Brumbies
- Tevita Alatini - Prop - Gungahlin Eagles
- Harvey Cordukes - Lock – Uni - Norths Owls
- Lachlan Hooper – Backrow - Tuggeranong Vikings
- Lington Ieli – Prop - Tuggeranong Vikings
- Toby Macpherson – Lock - Uni-Norths Owls
- Cullen Gray – Flyhalf - Wests Lions
- Jarrah Mcleod – Centre - Canberra Royals
- Dan Nelson – Halfback - Canberra Royals
- Sam Sahyoun – Prop - Queanbeyan Whites
- Angus Staniforth – Fullback - Canberra Royals
- Shane Wilcox - Fullback - Tuggeranong Vikings
Force
- AJ Preketes – Prop - Waverley College Sydney / Wanneroo Perth
- Boston Fakafanua - Centre / Fullback - Sydney University / The Kings School
- Ronan Leahy - Winger - Sydney University
- Doug Philipson – Halfback - Northern Suburbs RC / Palmyra RC
- Dane Sawers – Backrow - Kalamunda Districts Rugby Union Club
- Kauri Tipene-Grace – Winger - Wests Scarborough Rugby Club
- Tiam Toufan - Winger - University of Western Australia
Rebels
- Divad Palu – Centre - Wyndham Rhinos
- Judah Saumaisue – Backrow - Power House Rugby Club
Reds
- Ollie Barrett – Hooker - Bond University / Nudgee
- Nick Bloomfield – Prop - Easts Rugby Club
- Charlie Brosnan – Lock - Brisbane Brothers Rugby Club
- Ben Daniels – Lock - Brisbane Brothers Rugby Club
- Frankie Goldsbrough - Centre - Easts Brisbane
- Trevor King – Prop - Souths Rugby Club Brisbane
- Joe Liddy – Backrow - Easts Tigers Rugby Union Club
- Harry McLaughlin-Phillips – Flyhalf - Souths Rugby Club Brisbane
- Will Nason – Flyhalf - Souths Rugby Club Brisbane
- Tom Robinson – Backrow -UQ / St Joseph's College Gregory Terrace
- Xavier Rubens - Centre / Winger - Souths Rugby Club Brisbane
