Interim Lebanon head coach Remond Safi has rung the changes – both forced and unforced - to the Cedars train-on squad currently preparing to face Russia and Serbia this autumn in the Euro Med Challenge.

Untested AUB halfback Anthony Ghossein, along with Espoir duo wing Megho Keychian and prop Adel Kanso have all withdrawn from the squad due to work commitments, while incumbent Espoir halfback Danny Chemaly has withdrawn with a knee injury.

Safi has recalled 2007 Liban Espoir tourist Ibrahim Ballout as a direct replacement for Kanso, while former Espoir captain and Cedar Jad Abinassif, who played against Russia in the 2006 World Cup qualifier in London, bolstered the squad this week having returned from Doha, Qatar.

In addition to Abinassif, Safi has added another back to the train-on squad in Paul Jabbour of Essex based Rugby League Conference club Hainault Bulldogs. The former St George junior, whose Bulldogs side tops the RLC’s East Division, will be trialed by Safi and technical director Danny Kazandjian during their coach education trip to England later this month.

Other additions to the squad will be hooker Fadi Azzam, who is poised to return from the UAE in September, and second row Rudy Hachache, who is currently representing Lebanon in the heavyweight judo category in the Beijing Olympics. These may be joined by further recruits from Australia.