QLD Country will look to improve on a dissapointing season in last year’s National Rugby Championships after coach Jason Gilmore named his 2015 playing squad today.

15 Queensland Reds representatives will be joined by 16 non-contracted players, with 25 of the squads 36 players coming from a country background.

“We’ve put together a strong squad heading into the second NRC season,” Gilmore said.

“We have a good balance of Reds players and some of the best talent from Queensland Premier and country Rugby.”

QLD Country finished eighth last season, but will be looking to improve on that result in 2015.

“We also have a total of 20 returning players from the 2014 squad so it will be beneficial to have those existing players to assist with the transition of new players into Queensland Country.

The side will play all four of its matches in regional QLD, with the Gold Coast, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba all set to host a game.

QLD Country 2015 NRC squad

Haydn Hirsimaki – Sunnybank

Sef Fa’agase – Reds/University of Queensland

Taniela Tupou – Reds/Brothers

Greg Holmes – Reds/Sunnybank

Andrew Parker – Townsville Brothers

James Slipper – Wallabies

Saia Fainga’a – Reds/GPS

Alex Mafi – Reds/Bond University

Tonga Ma’afu – University of Queensland

Campbell Wakely – University of Queensland

Lukhan Tui – Reds

Richie Arnold – Bond University

Phil Potgieter – University of Queensland

Cameron Bracewell – Bond University

Rob Simmons – Wallabies

Jack Cornelson – University of Queensland

James Turner – Souths

Conor Mitchell – University of Queensland

Ed Quirk – Reds/Easts

Radike Samo – GPS

Lolo Fakaosilea – Reds/Sunnybank

Scott Gale – Reds/University of Queensland

James Tuttle – Reds/GPS

Harry Nucifora – Bond University

Sam Greene – Reds/Brothers

Dion Taumata – Bond University

Duncan Paia’aua – Reds/GPS

Matt Gordon – Easts

Izaia Perese – Easts

Anthony Fainga’a – Reds

Jamie-Jerry Taulagi – Reds/University of Queensland

Tom Banks – Reds/University of Queensland

Chris Feauai-Sautia – Reds/Souths

Stephen Van Der Walt – Souths

Elliot Hagen – Easts

Campbell Magnay – Reds/GPS