The LRLC has announced the 2007 Liban Espoir squad, following the 2006 Espoir v President's XIII trial match two weeks ago and one week before the Spring Championship kick off. The Espoirs, representing Lebanon's national championship, is touring Serbia in mid-August, with two 13-a-side internationals -- the first, on 15^th August, against the Serbian national team -- locked in as well as a nines tournament on the same weekend as a popular Belgrade cultural festival. The 19-man squad features three players without Liban Espoir honours in LAU's Mohamed Jamil, AUB rookie Wael Harb and Club Libanais's Ghassan Dandash – all outside backs. LAU player-coach Ibrahim Ballout, CL utility Rany Chahoud and AUB back row Bassel Rehayem are recalled after touring Great Britain with Liban Espoir in 2005.

The LRLC is also hoping to arrange fixtures against UNIFIL, dependant on the political climate in the country. The Serbia tour and UNIFIL matches will be key selection tools ahead of Lebanon's do-or-die world cup qualifiers this autumn against Russia and Ireland.

2007 Liban Espoir squad

Forwards

Amin Maassarani, Darwich Darwiche, Wael Tawil (Balamand), Robin Hachache, Rudi Hachache, Ibrahim Ballout (LAU), Youssef El Helou, Sol Mokdad (CL), Bassel Rehayem, Mohammed Zaweel (AUB).

Backs

Pierre Nasr, Roy Abla, Ghassan Dandash, Rany Chahoud (CL), Gilbert Haydamous, Najy Bassil (UOB), Jad Abinassif, Wael Harb (AUB), Mohamed Jamil (LAU).

A shadow group of players will be put on standby in case of drastic loss of form or unavailability through injury or other circumstances.