With the 2006 international rugby season about to kick off, Wallaby selectors have gone with a youth movement, possibly in an effort to add new young talent and build towards the 2007 World Cup.

New coach John Connolly has stated that the main factor in selections was formed during the 2006 Super 14 series, "I've said throughout that we would pick the squad on form. There were a few unlucky omissions, but we feel that the squad we've selected is the strongest possible one."

The Super 14 series saw the rise of several young players throughout the four Australian franchises. However, the mixed success of the Australian teams has ensured that the squad is once again heavy on players from the Waratahs and the Brumbies. In all, 12 Brumbies, 11 Waratahs, 5 Reds and 5 Force players comprise the 2006 squad.

Rugby icon George Gregan will again captain the squad, and has the opportunity to erase the record of 55 tests as skipper, currently held by legendary Wallaby, John Eales. Many in the rugby community feel this decision is not warranted.

Gregan copped his fair share of criticism for the poor performances last year, but was not shown the door in the same fashion as former coach Eddie Jones. Connolly, and the rest of the selection panel, see Gregan not only as the form scrum half in Australia, but also as a true leader to take them through to France in 2007.

Dan Vickerman (Waratahs) and Stirling Mortlock (Brumbies) have been rewarded for brilliant seasons by being handed the dual vice-captaincy role.

The squad features nine test rookies and has an average age of around 25 years. Nineteen of the 33 selected have played less than 10 tests.

Last season's real problem was the scrum or, more specifically, the front row. The Wallabies lacked the grunt in the engine room to supply good, clean, fast possession and the backline could never get firing. In one test last season a microphone picked up a comment about the Wallaby pack from the referee to a topuch judge following several collapsed scrums. The comment allegedly was, "What can I do? They are just not strong enough."

This year will be a real test for the front row, as four of the rookies are front row specialists. The new raw beef in the squad is made up of Guy Shepherdson (Brumbies), Benn Robinson (Waratahs), Tai McIsaac (Force) and Rodney 'Rodzilla' Blake (Reds).

Blake in particular looks to have the size and muscle, combined with controlled aggression that the Wallabies need. He is a cult figure in Queensland rugby and also brings to the table a superb running game, which the Wallabies have lacked in the front row over the last several seasons.

The other rookies are Gene Fairbanks (Brumbies), Sam Norton-Knight, Wycliff Palu (both Waratahs), Josh Valentine (Reds) and Cameron Shepherd (Force). While none are expected to have immediate impact (or even immediate playing time), it would not be a surprise to see all of the rookies get a run at some point this winter.

Notable selections include Sam Cordingley who, at 30 years of age, has not played a test since 2000, but has had some remarkable form in the Super 14. Scott Staniforth, the journeyman centre-cum-winger, is also back in the squad after an extended layoff. Staniforth was the last man drafted into the inaugural Western Force squad and the hard-running veteran showed he still has a few tricks in his bag, putting in a great season.

Clyde Rathbone has been selected after a quiet season for the Brumbies, which surprised many, as the dynamic Peter Hewat (Waratahs) was left wondering where he went wrong. Hewat has starred for the Waratahs the last two seasons and deserved a chance to show his talents at the elite level.

The test season will feature matches against New Zealand, South Africa, England and Ireland, and will be an opportunity to flag any weaknesses in the Wallaby game, which can hopefully be ironed out in time for the World Cup.

The full squad consists of:

Brumbies: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Mark Chisolm, Gene Fairbanks, Mark Gerrard, George Gregan (c), Daniel Heenan, Stephen Larkham, Stirling Mortlock (vc), Jeremy Paul, Clyde Rathbone, Guy Shepherdson, George Smith.

Waratahs: Al Baxter, Rocky Elsom, Adam Freier, Alex Kanaar, Sam Norton-Knight, Wycliff Palu, Benn Robinson, Mat Rogers, Lote Tuqiri, Dan Vickerman (vc), Phil Waugh.

Reds: Rodney Blake, Sam Cordingley, Greg Holmes, Chris Latham, Josh Valentine.

Force: Scott Fava, Tai McIsaac, Nathan Sharpe, Cameron Shepherd, Scott Staniforth.

Unavailable (injury): Matt Giteau, Berrick Barnes, Hugh McMeniman, Bill Young.