The Brumbies U19 get their inaugural Rugby Championship [URC] season underway this weekend, taking on the NSW Country Eagles.
The week-long tournament will see the Brumbies play a minimum of three games in five days before the finals series Friday, 5 October.
The Brumbies will match up with Brisbane on Monday afternoon before their final group game on Wednesday, 3 October against the Western Force.
The U19’s will be lead by former Brumbies prop Ruaidhri Murphy, and with plenty of quality in the squad, the Brumbies are hopeful of a high-placed finish.
As well as the Brumbies representatives, a number of local prospects have been selected in the Australian Barbarians selection for the championships.
The competition replaces the Super U20s Championship and aims to provide a pivotal stepping stone between school and club Rugby and the Junior Wallabies.
Rugby Australia’s Head of National Talent Management, Adrian Thompson said: “The URC will provide an invaluable opportunity for national selectors and coaching staff to identify our potential Junior Wallabies much earlier in the U20s calendar year.
“By expanding the number of teams, we are also opening up opportunities for more players to put their hands up for selection down the track and allows Rugby Australia and the State Unions to give more playing opportunities to emerging players.
“Most of the players have been selected off the back of their respective club rugby seasons, and we are hoping that their good form will continue throughout the week of the tournament.
“For a lot of the players this Championship will give them the opportunity to go into a representative program first year out of school, as well as to stick their hands up for higher honours.”
The Junior Wallabies will compete at the Oceania Rugby U20s Championship on the Gold Coast and the World Rugby U20s Championship in 2019 in Argentina.
All matches will be streamed LIVE on RUGBY.com.au.
Match Day 1: Saturday 29 September
Sydney v Barbarians, 10.30am
Queensland Country v Melbourne Rebels, 12.30pm
Brisbane v Western Force, 2.30pm
NSW Country Eagles v Brumbies, 4.30pm
Match Day 2: Monday 1 October
Queensland Country v Barbarians, 10.30am
Brisbane v Brumbies, 12.30pm
Sydney v Melbourne Rebels, 2.30pm
NSW Country Eagles v Western Force, 4.30pm
Match Day 3: Wednesday 3 October
Melbourne Rebels v Barbarians, 10.30am
Brumbies v Western Force, 12.30pm
Sydney v Queensland Country, 2.30pm
Brisbane v NSW Country Eagles, 4.30pm
Match Day 4: Friday 5 October
4th v 4th, 9.30am
3rd v 3rd, 11.00am
2nd v 2nd, 12.30pm
1st v 1st, 2.00pm
