The LRLC has announced Lebanon’s remaining representative commitments for the year, culminating in the Euro Med Challenge series against Russia and Serbia in the autumn. This official RLEF tournament will have some bearing on the European Federation’s 2009 calendar, with the world cup another determining factor. Russia and Serbia commence the tri-series in Belgrade on 20^th September, with the Cedars traveling to Moscow the following weekend to play the Bears for the third consecutive year. In 2006 and 2007 Lebanon defeated Russia in world cup qualifying – but ultimately not by enough points to secure a spot in the month-long showpiece. Then, the Cedars return home to play Serbia in Bhamdoun on 5^th October. Last year the Espoirs edged Serbia’s national team 16-14 in a thrilling match outside Belgrade, while the Cedars heavily defeated a brave but outgunned Serbia in the 2003 and 2004 Mediterranean Cups. Both Russia and Serbia, then, have plenty of motivation to exact some revenge against Lebanon, whose historic 14-match unbeaten streak was ended by Samoa in November.

The next step on the road to Moscow will be taken on 27^th July when the Bank of Beirut Espoirs play the President’s XIII. The LRLC organized this fixture to replace the suspended Great Britain Amateurs Under-21s tour of Lebanon, which was shelved due to the unstable political situation of the past few months. After that match Lebanon’s selection committee will pick a 22-man Lebanon ‘train-on’ squad, which will be joined by former Espoir and AUB captain Jad Abinassif, with the scrum-half returning to Lebanon from Qatar. Other players under consideration for national selection are incumbent Espoir rake Fady Azzam, now working in the UAE, and a few Australian-based Cedars. In the first week of August the 20-man Lebanon Cedars squad will be announced, with, for the first time, the majority of the players drawn from local stocks.

Espoir coach Remond Safi will take up the interim head coach’s position, with national team coach Darren Maroon unavailable to travel for the Euro Med Challenge. In preparation, Safi and LRLC technical director Danny Kazandjian will undergo a week long coaching clinic hosted by London Skolars in late August, with Safi a guest of the RLEF at the Challenge Cup final.

July 27: Liban Espoir v President’s XIII, Bhamdoun

July 28: Lebanon ‘train-on’ squad selected

September 4: Lebanon Cedars squad announced

September 28: RUSSIA v LEBANON

October 5: LEBANON v SERBIA, Bhamdoun