However so good was their experience that a new crop of players will journey from Perth to join 50 other teams from 12-14 April at what will be the largest TAS Rugby Carnival ever.

"The carnival ignites that positive, happy energy you draw from such a magnificently run junior carnival and instantly ignites that electric feeling you get when playing rugby and being around all things rugby," he said.

"For junior rugby players to have an event of this nature at their age is unique and something that will be treasured and remembered by all, for life."

The carnival - the largest under 12s rugby tournament in the nation - continues to attract new teams in its fifteenth year, with Canberra Grammar School and Qld Samoa RFC making their debut.

Also returning to TAS will be the special guest, former Wallaby and TAS Old Boy James Holbeck, who played seven tests for Australia between 1997 and 2001. Last year Holbeck was appointed Career and Pathways Manager for Classic Wallabies, a role jointly funded with Rugby Australia designed to offer specific support for players transitioning from their professional rugby careers into the next phase of their professional life off the field.

Holbeck will celebrate grassroots rugby with players, coaches and supporters and speak at a Q&A session on Sunday afternoon.

Carnival convenor Mr Will Caldwell said the continued popularity of the carnival is testament to a universal love of the game, the camaraderie of the sport between school, club and rep teams from such a broad geographic area, and the sense of community it engenders.

Over the two days, 120 games of rugby will be played on eight school ovals, which have been proudly prepared by TAS grounds staff over recent weeks.

There are five divisions based on teams of similar ability.

A highlight of each carnival is the Spirit of Rugby relay, a foot race comprising four players from every team running the length of the school's Backfield.

"For many players this is their first time away on tour and that is exciting in itself, creating lifelong memories It provides the rare opportunity for school and club teams to come together in a friendly atmosphere, and also reflects the enormous spirit of our wider school community who work incredibly hard to make it happen so smoothly," he said.

Teams playing at the TAS Rugby Carnival 2019:

Ambrose Treacy College, Brisbane Qld

Bond Pirates, Gold Coast Qld (x2)

Caboolture Snakes, Caboolture Qld

Canberra Grammar School, ACT

Cranbrook School, Sydney NSW

Dalby Rugby Club, Qld

Gordon Junior RC, Sydney NSW (x2)

Highfields Redbacks, Qld

Highland Goats, Armidale NSW

Inverell Junior Rugby Club, NSW

Ipswich Rangers Rugby Club, Qld

Lismore Junior Rugby Club, NSW

Maroochydore Rugby Union Club, Qld

Matthew Flinders Anglican College, Buderim Qld

Moree Junior Rugby Club, NSW

Nudgee College, Brisbane Qld (x3)

Pacific Lutheran College, Caloundra Qld

Padua College, Brisbane Qld (x2)

Qld Samoa Rugby Club, Brisbane Qld

Saints Rugby Club, Peregian Springs, Qld

Scone Grammar School, NSW

The Scots College Prep School, Sydney (x2)

Shore School, Sydney NSW

South Toowoomba Kookaburras, Qld

Southern Districts, Sydney NSW

St Aloysius' College, Sydney NSW

St Ignatius' College Riverview, Sydney NSW (x2)

St Laurence's College, Brisbane, Qld

St Patrick's College, Strathfield, NSW (x2)

St Pius X College, Sydney NSW

Sunshine Coast Grammar School, Qld

Surfers Junior Rugby Club, Gold Coast Qld

Sydney Grammar Prep School (Edgecliff), Sydney NSW

Tamworth Junior Rugby Club, NSW

The Armidale School, Armidale NSW

The King's School Preparatory School, Sydney NSW

Toowoomba Anglican School, Qld

Toowoomba Bears, Qld

Tudor House Prep School, Bowral NSW

Waverley College, Sydney NSW (x2)

Western Spirit Beasts, Perth WA

Wollongbar Alstonville Rugby Club, NSW