Queensland Reds squad member Tom Robinson will captain the Australia Under-20s to the Junior World Championships in Georgia.
The significant honour was revealed today when a 30-man U20s squad was unveiled for the tournament in June-July.
All Junior World Championship matches will be streamed live on Stan Sport
In all, nine players from the Reds pathways have won selection while a further two players from French clubs have been selected after their initial lift-off in Reds pathway programs.
Versatile Reds dynamo Treyvon Pritchard, after his 12 games for the Reds in Super Rugby Pacific, is a standout inclusion as a centre-fullback.
Flyhalf Finn Mackay, who made his Super Rugby Pacific debut against the NSW Waratahs in the first game of the season, will steer the side as the top playmaker.
Prop Jacob Job, hookers Charlie Hollyman and John Grenfell, locks Kenny Harris and Will Ross and centre-winger Taione Taka have also won spots.
Prop Kingsley Uys, fullback-winger Nick Conway and lock Bennett Armistead were not considered because of injury.
Former Reds U18 props Lehopo Leota (Racing 92) and Kingbenjamin Swerling-Finaipepe (Castres) have been selected from their French clubs in a first for Australia at U20s level.
The Australia U20s will open the Junior World Championship against Spain (June 28 AEST) before taking on Fiji (July 2 AEST) and U20 Six Nations winners France (July 9 AEST).
“It’s a significant reflection of the good work being done in the Queensland pathway programs,” Buildcorp Reds Academy coach Dale Roberson said.
“Tom has come through U16s, U18s and Next Gen teams for the Reds and has shown himself to be an excellent leader with a good voice on top of being a top flanker.
“Treyvon’s performances in Super Rugby Pacific this year speak for themselves. He was Player of the Series for the Australia U18s last year.
“Finn has developed through age teams at the Reds and the Academy and got his chance, at 18, in Super Rugby Pacific to start the year.
“Taione is still eligible for the Australia U18s later this season. Kenny Harris is a great example of pushing your name forward because his chance came from an outstanding Colts season with Bond University last year.
“Will has benefitted from testing himself against the Reds senior squad at training this year. He’s another to come through from the winning Australia U18s of 2025.
“John Grenfell has shown a lot of resilience to overcome injuries. Charlie has had a strong season and Jacob’s consistency of training effort has really stood out. He’s a great country rugby story coming from Emerald.”
Swerling-Finaipepe, 19, attended John Paul College in Brisbane and played Reds U18s in 2025. He played University of Queensland Colts in 2024 and 2025 plus three first grade games at just 18 last year, including one start.
Lehopo Leota, 20, is an Iona College product. He played Reds U18s in 2023 and 2024 and Reds U19s in 2023. He played junior rugby for the Wynnum Bugs, Colts at Brothers in 2023 and 2024 and was part of the Junior Reds Academy.
"Both boys were a part of the Queensland Reds pathway programs. (Reds forwards coach) Zane Hilton and I enjoyed a catch up with Lehopo when he was last home at the end of last year," said former Wallaby Paul Carozza, the Queensland Reds Head of Talent Management.
"We are keen to stay in touch with the Queensland pathway boys and we will with Kingbenjamin when the chance arises.
"I hope he comes back to the Reds just so we can have his name on the big screen at Suncorp Stadium."
The U20s squad will assemble in Sydney next Wednesday before flying out to Kutaisi, Georgia where they will play all of their three Pool D group games.
The squad consists of 26 players in Super Rugby programs, two Australian Sevens members and two overseas players.
The four pool winners will progress to the semi-finals, while second-placed teams will compete for fifth to eight places. Third and fourth-placed teams will contest rankings from ninth to 12th and 13th to 16th respectively, with seeding based on pool-stage competition points.
The Junior World Championship 2026 will also mark a significant step forward in player welfare, becoming the first international competition to feature a trial of lowering the tackle height.
The initiative, designed to enhance safety and reduce head contact, builds on successful trials at community and domestic levels.
Australia U20 Head Coach Chris Whitaker said: "We're pretty excited, we've got a talented group and feel like we are ready to embrace the challenge of competing on this world stage.
"We have got a tricky pool with Spain, Fiji and the Six Nations champions, France, but we will go into the games with confidence and give it our all."
Jacob Job - Prop
Charles Hollyman - Hooker
John Grenfell - Hooker
Kenneth Harris - Lock
William Ross - Lock
Tom Robinson (c) - Backrow
Finn Mackay - Flyhalf
Taione Taka - Centre/Wing
Treyvon Pritchard - Centre/Fullback
Ewald Kruger - Hooker
Eli Langi - Backrow
Chayse Geros - Scrumhalf/Fullback
Edwin Langi - Prop
Matthew Sauao - Prop
Isaac Fonua - Backrow/Lock
Toby Brial - Backrow/Lock
Luca Cleverley - Backrow
Marshall Le Maitre - Backrow
TJ Talaileva - Backrow
Angus Grover - Scrumhalf
Sam Blank - Scrumhalf
Jonty Fowler - Flyhalf
Zach Fittler - Centre
Leo Jaques - Centre/Wing
Charlie Bird - Centre/Fullback
Tom Farr-Jones - Wing
Cooper Watters - Wing
Wallace Charlie (Western Force) - Wing/Fullback
Kingbenjamin Swerling-Finaipepe (Castres) - Prop
Lehopoame Leota (Racing 92) - Prop
Bennett Armistead (Reds, injury)
Kingsley Uys - (Reds, injury)
Nicholas Conway (Reds, injury)
Justice Taumoepeau (Waratahs, injury)
Nick Hill - (Waratahs, injury)
All 3 pool matches played at AIA Arena, Kutaisi
Pool Match 1: Australia U20 v Spain U20 on Sunday, June 28 at 02:30 AES
Pool Match 2: Australia U20 v Fiji U20 on Thursday, July 2 at 21:30 AES
Pool Match 3: Australia U20 v France U20 on Wednesday, July 8 at 00:00 AES
Seeding Match 1: Australia U20 v TBC on Sunday/Monday, July 12-1
Seeding Match 2: Australia U20 v TBC on Friday/Saturday, July 17-18
