Queensland Reds flyhalf Quade Cooper has been named as part of a 26-man Australian Under 19s squad for the iRB World Championship in Belfast in Northern Ireland in April.

The Australian squad contains five players who were part of the team which defeated arch rivals New Zealand 17-13 in a thrilling Under 19 final in Dubai last year. Another 12 players are from last year's Australian Schoolboys team.

The team, coached by Queensland Reds Academy Coach Phil Mooney, with former Wallaby Mark Bell as his Assistant, will have its first training day as a squad in Sydney this Sunday.

With the Under 19 program traditionally providing future Wallabies, Mooney says the World Championship is a vital stepping stone in many young careers.

"The world championships provide us with a rare benchmark of where our junior development is at compared with the other nations," said Mooney.

"It also gives the players valuable match experience and a great springboard to launch their Super 14 and Test rugby careers against the best Under 19 players in the world."

"We'll certainly be going to Belfast with the purpose of winning the tournament, although we have a very tough group with Ireland, on home turf, Fiji and a strong French outfit."

The Australian Institute of Sport has also pitched its support for the Under 19 program, by providing world class facilities and expertise to the players and coaching staff and Mooney believes this has augmented the squad's preparations.

"The AIS is a proven nursery for international athletes and their support is providing a great step-up for our young up-and-coming players," he said.

The Australians will begin their title defence against hometown favourites Ireland in Belfast on April 5.

The squad will come together for a nine day camp at the AIS in Canberra from 20 March before flying out for Belfast on 29 March.

Ford Australian Under 19s Squad for IRB World Cup in Belfast

Albert Anae
Prop
Dara
QLD

Andrew Barrett*
Centre/Wing
Kogarah
NSW

Peter Betham*
Fullback
Mt Druitt
NSW

Blair Connor
Wing
Banyo
QLD

Quade Cooper* S14
Flyhalf
Eight Mile Plains
QLD

Ben Daley^
Prop
Clear Island Waters
QLD

Tetera Faulkner*
Prop
Wanniassa
ACT

Will Genia^ S14
Halfback
Tingalpa
QLD

Brett Gillespie^
Inside Centre
Chapel Hill
QLD

James Hanson^
Hooker
Indooroopilly
QLD

Chris Harkins*
Flanker
Wanniassa
ACT

Mitchell Inman
Inside Centre
Yowie Bay
NSW

Rowan Kellam*
Outside Centre
Carlingford
NSW

Rodney
Ma'a*
Flanker
Hoxton Park
NSW

Alfi Mafi*
Centre/Wing
Auburn
NSW

Patrick McCabe
Fullback
Manly
NSW

Ben McCalman*
No.8/Flanker
Glebe
NSW

Daniel Palmer*
Prop
Barrack Point
NSW

Daniel Penca
Hooker
Gordon
ACT

Jason Ryan
Halfback
Cudal
NSW

Robert Simmons*
Lock
Alderley
QLD

Jeremy Sua*
Halfback
Edensor Park
NSW

Michael Uoka*
No.8
Wanniassa
ACT

Waqa Vulawalu
Lock
Macquarie
ACT

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Flanker
Frenchs Forest
NSW

Sam Wykes^
Lock
Lalor Park
NSW

* From last year's Australian Schoolboys

^ From last year's Australian Under 19s

S14 - Contracted or on a Rookie Contract in the Super 14

Coaching staff

Head Coach - Phil Mooney

Assistant Coach - Mark Bell

Manager - Bill Swain

Program Coordinator - Ben Whitaker

Medical Coordinator/Doctor - Corey Cunningham

Physiotherapist Coordinator - Cameron Watson

Physiotherapist - Andrew Cooke

S&C Coordinator - Brynley Abad