On Thursday, the first of the final series of practice and selection games for the contest, the Under 16's took on the only available opposition, the under 18s. Far from a one sided contest the U16's, with a pool of 60 players or so to draw on went head to head with the U18's. Both sides fielded some very solid citizens indeed and displayed skills that showed that the three years or so the game has been mainstream in several schools in Jeddah has been very productive. Neither of these teams were the "turn up and get a game" kind of 2009. Places now have to be earned and the competition is fierce.

"The game has spread out from the three main international schools and we are now getting players from Saudi schools and smaller international schools," explained Head Coach Kinkead. "The individual schools might not have enough players to develop their own teams, but rugby league lies only second behind football in popularity. It's definitely on the rise." Kinkead said that there were over 30 players at the British International School in Jeddah alone and the pool from there, Jeddah Prep and Grammar School and American School in Jeddah more than doubled the under 16 pool.

Many of this year's under 18 team will be moving on to university next year but Kinkead was confident that the team, with half a dozen returnees, would even increase in quality as some of the talented Under 16s moved up a year.

The evidence on the field suggested a definite increase in the quality of rugby. Kinkead thought that this was a result of a wider selection of to pick from and the increase in the number of coaches who had between them decades of rugby experience and had committed to the teams.

"When we started the rugby program, we had only two or three coaches — now we are up to maybe 16. It has made a massive difference," he said.

The Under 18s squad going to Lebanon was at the start 40 percent Saudi players but for various reasons has slipped to about 25 percent. "In a very sporting gesture, one of our selected players Hassan Sharbatly gave up his place to another player who many times came very close to selection to give him a chance at a cap," said Kinkead. "When we are at full strength and commitments of exams and school doesn't conflict, we can pick a 50 percent Saudi side that would perform creditably against any similarly aged side."

He said that the U18s who last year played at U16s level were technically the better team in their encounter in Lebanon. "We don't know what added players or extra experience they have had over the year, but barring surprises, we have the stronger team, the best we have ever taken; I am confident." The Saudi Select Under 18's encounter Lebanon on February 24, and the Under 16's tournament takes place on 21 March. "If we win that one, then we will have succeeded with three different teams in three years. That will be a real landmark for rugby in the Kingdom," concluded Kinkead.