NSW I begin their campaign for a fifth straight Australian Schools Championships at St Ignatius today after a week of preparation in Sydney.

The reigning champions will field a new look side with just a handful of players returning from 2016, however NSW will still start the week as favourites.

“I’ve been really happy with our preparation, I think the team has come together better and quicker than in previous years and that has made a big difference,” NSW I coach Brad Gill told Rugby News.

“We probably don’t have any real superstars in this squad at the moment, but it’s a really strong group of talented footballers so I think they’ll go very well. The depth at the trials this year was great and it made it difficult to pick the side so that’s always a positive.”

Gill told Rugby News his side would look to play attacking rugby and said he expected his “tough, solid forward pack” to impress alongside some talented backs.

“I’ve been really impressed with Nick Wilkinson so far. He’s back from last year and has looked great in training. Our flyhalf Adam Doueihi has also been good. Those two have shown plenty of leadership and poise so I expect them to lead the team through the week,” the coach said.

“I don’t think that inexperience will matter too much because the team has come together so well. Although we don’t have many returning from last year, a lot of guys have played good quality school and colts footy so I think that will help.”

NSW I begin their campaign against ACT today, before facing Combined States on Wednesday and Queensland II on Thursday afternoon. The finals will then be held on Saturday.

Gill said he expected a tight tournament and admitted the gap between the NSW and Queensland sides and the remaining teams is no longer as evident as in years past.

“We’ve heard that Queensland might not be as strong and a little under prepared, but I think they are probably foxing a little bit. Queensland are always going to be tough, they tested us in the final last year and I think they’ll be tough to beat again.

“Our match fitness will hopefully give us an advantage. They haven’t started their school season yet, whereas our guys have played a fair bit of hard footy this year. When it gets tough, our guys should be up to it,” Gill added.

“Victoria will be strong, I’m glad we aren’t playing them. They are always unpredictable and have a lot of talent. ACT will also be tough, it wouldn’t surprise me if one of those sides win it soon.”

After the final match on Saturday, selectors will announce the Australian Schoolboys Team and an Australian Schools Barbarians Team with the Schoolboys squad set to tour to Samoa and New Zealand in late September and early October.

The Barbarians will be play a match against the touring Tongan Schools team at Newington College in September.

Gill said his side was trying to focus on their first match against ACT before they worried about the rest of the week.

“We want to win it, that’s fairly obvious. Obviously we want the guys to come together and enjoy the week and become good mates, but we also want to win and get as may guys into that Australian schools sides as possible.”

Monday 4th July
10:00am – NSW II v WA
11:30am – Vic v Qld I
1:00pm – ACT v NSW I
2:30pm – Qld II v Combined States

Wednesday 6th July
10:00am – NSW I v CS
11:30am – Qld I v WA
1:00pm – Qld II v ACT
2:30pm – NSW II v Vic

Thursday 7th July
10:00am – Vic v WA
11:30am – CS v ACT
1:00pm – Qld I v NSW II
2:30pm – NSW I v Qld II

Saturday 9th July – Finals Day
9:00am – 7th place playoff
10:15am – 5th place playoff
11:30pm – 3rd place playoff
12:45pm – Championship match