The Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union’s Under 16 Junior Colts announced its initial International squad for the 2008/09 season.

After a series of training sessions around the Gulf region, a two-day selection process was held at the new ‘The Sevens’ rugby stadium in Dubai on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th September 2008.  Competition for squad places was fierce with sixty players (representing various clubs and schools from the GCC region) accepting invitations from the AGRFU to trial for a coveted team spot. By Wayne Martsers AGRFU

Head Coach Dom Fanucci said “The young men I have observed training, practicing set pieces and playing competitive games are a credit to the clubs and schools they represent. I believe we have a strong squad that will compete at international level with the best there is. I am looking forward to the coming season and to further sharpening my squad’s fitness and skill set”. A sentiment echoed by his four-strong coaching and management team.

“A credit to both Schools and clubs of the region”

The AGRFU U-16 Junior Colts first test will be against Dubai’s English College on October 25th at Dubai’s ‘The Sevens’ stadium. Full international match fixtures will be announced in due course.

The AGRFU U16 Junior Colts Squad is:

Benjamin Williams Turner, Ignacio Costa (American International School, Abu Dhabi),  Marco Speranza (The Cambridge High School of Abu Dhabi), Philip Vorster, Will Pawley, Kyle Knox (Al Khubairat, British School Abu Dhabi), Marais Quihen,  Rhys Dane Sandford (Al Ain English Speaking School), J.J. Fanucci, Sean Barber (Jumeirah English Speaking School) Rached  Khairallah, Zack Tarrant Taylor, Layth Massoud, Chris Burke (Dubai College), Myles Martins (Dubai English School) David McBain, Syafiq Hertog, Syafif Hertog, Robert Chandler, Fanad Al Dahimi (English College -Dubai), Jack Snowdon, Thomas Ogilvie, Joshua Smith, Adam Samarai, Ruaraidh Donaldson (Jumeirah College), Joshua Martin Warburton (Millfield School), Anthony Collins (Sharjah English School).
Associated Clubs: Dubai Exiles RFC, Al Ain RFC, Abu Dhabi Harlequins RFC, Dubai Hurricanes RFC, Sharjah Wanderers, Arabian Knights RFC.

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