Dubai: Twin brothers Saia and Anthony Faingaa have been appointed captain and vice captain, respectively, as a powerful Australian squad launches its bid for a first-ever IRB U19 World Championship title in Dubai.
Saia, a member of the 2003 and 2004 Australian Schoolboy teams, impressed for his country in last year's U19 world championship in South Africa while this season he has made his Super 14 debut from hooker for the Brumbies.
Anthony, a centre also from the Brumbies Academy, has been named joint vice captain of the Wallaby squad alongside last year's Australian Schoolboys skipper Pat McCutcheon. Australia open their challenge for honours in the competition against Scotland in Sharjah on Wednesday, and then face further pool games against Romania and New Zealand. Champions South Africa, meanwhile, were given a rousing send-off as they left for Dubai in search of a fourth title. Alistair Hargreaves, who led the 'Baby Boks' last year, and Springbok winger Ashwell Willemse were amongst those who attended a traditional 'capping' ceremony in Johannesburg.
England have been forced into one late change to their squad. Northampton prop Charlie Beech was called up in place of Jack Forster who instead appears set to be involved in European Challenge Cup action on Saturday for injury-hit Gloucester against Brive. His club are so short of front row personnel that Forster, who made his first Premiership start last weekend in the home defeat by Bristol, was pulled out of England's travelling party but remains on stand-by.
England are in action on Wednesday against Ireland at Dubai Exiles and then face Argentina and South Africa in pool play.
The 24-team U19 world championship kicks off on Tuesday with six matches in Division B three at the Exiles and three at Sharjah Wanderers.
