Wayne Pivac, coach of defending NPC title holders Auckland, has named a strong squad in advance of this year's competition.

There is a youthful look to the squad. Amongst the backs New Zealand sevens stars Orene Ai'i , Mils Muliana and Amasio Valence will have a chance to gain further experience from old hands like Craig Innes and Eroni Clarke.

Second rower Tom Curtis, who made such a big impression playing for Manu Samoa in the Epson Cup, is included in an Auckland squad for the first time, but veteran flanker Mark Carter, who played for the All Blacks at the 1991 World Cup, earns a recall.As widely reported last week ex-All Black lock Robin Brooke has not been included, although he has made himself available in the event of an injury crisis.

Carlos Spencer, Adrian Cashmore and Andrew Blowers have all been included, even though there has been constant speculation that they would be moving overseas to further their playing careers and boost their bank balances.

Auckland have trial matches against Canterbury and Northland before the start of the NPC, at which point the squad will be trimmed to 22.

All Black squad members Craig Dowd and Doug Howlett will be added to the squad after the All Blacks complete their Tri Nations campaign against South Africa in Johannesburg on August 19.

The full Auckland squad is :

Paul Thomson (captain), Nick White, Tonga Lea'eatoa, Keven Mealamu, James Christian, Leo Lafaiali'i, Charles Reichelmann, Tom Curtis, Bradley Mika, Mark Carter, Andrew Blowers, Finau Maka,Dylan Mika, Xavier Rush, Steve Devine, Ben Meyer, Carlos Spencer, Orene Ai'i, Craig Innes, Amasio Valence, Iliesa Tanivula,Eroni Clarke, Mils Muliana, Rico Gear, Adrian Cashmore.

Craig Dowd and Doug Howlett to be added.