The return of 10 world champion Wallabies and a profitable recruiting drive gave the ACT Brumbies an edge leading into next year's Super 12 rugby tournament, coach Eddie Jones said Tuesday.
The Brumbies have finalised their 2000 line-up after signing former Australian Universities hooker Tom Murphy to a one-year contract.
Murphy will join the ACT squad for training in January after completing a stint in England as captain of Harlequins, where he also picked up three Barbarian caps.
Jones has added seven new faces to the squad which finished fifth in last year's Super 12 and first in the Australian domestic rankings, on top of Queensland and New South Wales.
The Brumbies have also done well out of rugby league, signing former Sydney City standoff and fullback Andrew Walker and ex-Brisbane Bronco second-rower Peter Ryan.
"We're very happy with the squad," Jones said. "There are a lot of young players coming through and there's also extra depth and experience with the signings of Peter Ryan and Andrew Walker.
"The return of the World Cup guys will also be significant and we're hoping to capitalise on the success and the experience they have gained."
The Brumbies will have their first training session of 2000 on January 3 before heading to New Zealand for trial matches against Waikato and Wellington.
Their Super 12 campaign will begin at home at Bruce Stadium on February 25 against the Auckland Blues.

The full squad:
Mark Bartholomeusz , Graeme Bond, Ben Darwin, Ipolito Fenukitau,
Owen Finegan, David Giffin, George Gregan, Travis Hall, Mitch Hardy,
Justin Harrison, James Holbeck, Troy Jaques, Rod Kafer, Stephen Larkham,
Damien McInally, Craig McMullen, Stirling Mortlock, Tom Murphy, Patricio
Noriega, Jeremy Paul, Brett Robinson, Joe Roff, Simon Ross, Peter Ryan,
George Smith, Des Tuuiiavii, Andrew Walker , Jim Williams, Bill Young