The Lebanese Rugby League Committee has announced the 2008 Cedars squad for the RLEF Euro Med Challenge later this month. In a historic departure from national team squads to date, 17 out of the 20 players are locally reared, with only three players – Chris Saab, Robin Hachache and Jad Abinassif – having attained full international honours.

Experienced back rower Saab, currently involved in Jim Beam Cup semi finals with Mount Pritchard in Sydney, captains the side that plays Russia in Moscow on 28 September before hosting Serbia in Bhamdoun on 5 October.

The twelve cap man is one of only three foreign-based players, along with England-based Paul Jabbour and Greenacre Tiger Abdul Rahman Bekdache. Saab is joined in the pack by Robin Hachache, who won four caps during Lebanon’s World Cup qualifying run last year. In a major blow to the squad brother Rudi has been forced to pull out due to the spark in interest in Lebanese judo following his appearance at the Beijing Olympics.

The remainder of the squad is drawn from the Bank of Beirut Espoir side, with only two players – Ray Finan and Hani El Rifai - drafted in from the President’s XIII. Jabbour, Saab and hooker Fadi Azzam are yet to join the squad, but should do so in the next week or two.

LRLC technical director Danny Kazandjian said: “typically, we’ve suffered the loss of several players due to the usual reasons like work and travel, but I think eight is a record for us. Nevertheless, the core of our squad is in tact and we have been preparing all summer for what is sure to be an excellent series.”

Both Russia and Serbia have suffered heavy defeats to Lebanon, and both will be eyeing up the opportunity for revenge.

2008 Lebanon Cedars squad

Jad Abinassif (AUB Wolves RLFC)
Ahmad Al Masri (Jounieh Al Galacticos RLFC)
Fadi Azzam (Jounieh Al Galacticos RLFC)
Abdul Rahman Bekdache (Greenacre Tigers RLFC)
Ibrahim Ballout (LAU Immortals RLFC)
Youssef Chagoury (Balamand Razorbacks)
Ghassan Dandach (Jounieh Al Galacticos RLFC)
Nabil Dora (Jounieh Al Galacticos RLFC)
Youssef El Helou (Jounieh Al Galacticos RLFC)
Ramy El Rassy (USJ Saints)
Hani El Rifai (LAU Immortals RLFC)
Mounir Finan (AUB Wolves RLFC)
Raymond Finan (LAU Immortals RLFC)
Robin Hachache (LAU Immortals RLFC)
Wael Harb (AUB Wolves RLFC)
Paul Jabbour (Hainault Bulldogs RLFC)
Mohamed Jamil (LAU Immortals RLFC)
Riad Khoury (Balamand Razorbacks)
Chris Saab © (Mount Pritchard RLFC)
Nemer Saliba (AUB Wolves RLFC)

Technical Staff

Remond Safi (interim coach)
Danny Kazandjian (tour manager)
Mohamed Habbous (head of delegation)
Hanni Assi (trainer)
Nayef Abisaid (match official)