In what is set to be a busy spring on the Australian rugby calendar, Rugby Australia has confirmed the Australia U18 squad and Australian Schoolboys squad to contest a series of fixtures in Canberra later this month.
The two sides play three fixtures each, with the Australia U18 side set to take on the New Zealand Secondary Schools in a two-match series.
Watch all Australia U18 and Australian Schoolboys fixtures live on Rugby.com.au's YouTube channel
The Australian Schoolboys, meanwhile, will take on the Fiji Schoolboys side in a two-match series, forming a doubleheader with the U18s side at Viking Park
Before the commencement of their respective series, however, the two Australian sides will face off against each other to kick off their preparations.
"There is fantastic talent across the country and to narrow it down to 30 players for the Australia U18 team and then 23 for the Australian Schoolboys has been a challenge," Rugby Australia National Pathways Manager Nic Henderson said in an official statement.
"Invariably some good players will miss out.
"We started this selection process back in March, when the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds U18 sides played each other in a home and away series.
"We've continued it all the way through the various club and school competitions held over the last few months, as well as representative matches and championships.
"We have worked very closely with the Australian Schools Rugby Union and the Super Rugby clubs to select the two national squads.
"The process has involved regular meetings and discussions on players across the system, leading to a final selection day where we selected the top 30 U18 players in the Australia U18 squad, allowing the Australian Schools to follow and select their 23-player squad with the stipulation that these players are U18, attend school and attended the National Schoolboy Championships held in July."
