The second-row pair were included in a 36-man squad for the Vikings' 2016 campaign, which begins against Queensland Country on August 28.

Carter was a shock omission from the Wallabies squad for the Rugby Championship despite another strong season, while Arnold is recovering from an elbow injury that prematurely ended his Super Rugby season.

Carter got through a mountain of work during the ACT Brumbies' campaign and it's likely he will be used sparingly when the Vikings begin their season.

But the 26-year-old will use any game time to press his claims and Arnold will do the same when he's given the all-clear to return to contact training.

Vikings coach Wayne Southwell named a squad boasting 20 Brumbies and 16 of the best from Canberra's club competition.

Young gun playmaker Nick Jooste is poised to take on flyhalf duties as he continues to aim for a Super Rugby debut, while rising prop Faalelei Sione will also be given a chance to shine.

Southwell is taking the coaching reins for the first time after leading Royals to a Canberra club rugby premiership last week.

"A big part of my job is getting rid of the Brumbies tag and club tags in the team and just representing Southern Inland and the ACT," Southwell said.

"I'm excited and a bit nervous as well. The first couple of games will pave the way for us."

The Canberra Vikings made a charge to the NRC finals last season, but were beaten by Brisbane City in the grand final.

NRC camaraderie will be temporarily be put on hold when club pride takes priority in the John I Dent Cup grand final at Viking Park on Saturday.

There will be 14 NRC representatives spread across the Queanbeyan Whites and Tuggeranong Vikings teams in the battle for premiership bragging rights.

Versatile Brumbies back Robbie Coleman, nicknamed the "Prince of Queanbeyan" temporarily traded his Whites' jersey for the red of the Vikings on Wednesday.

"I can't wait to pull on the Vikings jersey to represent Canberra with the boys, but this weekend comes first," Coleman said.

"I'm really excited for this grand final and itching to get out there. Everything is starting to click for us."

Flanker Dean Oakman-Hunt will also get an opportunity to impress Southwell when he lines up for Tuggeranong in the club rugby decider.

Oakman-Hunt was called into the Brumbies squad for the last two games of the Super Rugby season after injuries to David Pocock, Jordan Smiler and Ben Hyne.

"The experience of playing in the NRC really helped me last year," Oakman-Hunt said.

"I think all of the players from the clubs competition really proved themselves this year so it will be strong.

"The NRC gives that pathway to bridge the gap between Super Rugby and club rugby so it gives players a chance to improve themselves."

CANBERRA VIKINGS SQUAD

Robbie Abel, Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Jarrad Butler, Edan Campbell-O'Brien, Sam Carter, Robbie Coleman, James Dargaville, Nick Dobson, Ray Dobson, Blake Enever, Brent Hamlin, Jordan Jackson-Hope, Nick Jooste, Jamie Kotz, Tevita Kuridrani, Leslie Leulua'iali'i-Makin, Josh Mann-Rea, Connal McInerney, OJ Noa, Dean Oakman-Hunt, Dan Penca, Joe Powell, Jake Rakic, Andrew Robinson, Eli Sinoti, Scott Sio, Faalelei Sione, Jordan Smiler, Andrew Smith, Henry Speight, Tom Staniforth, Darcy Swain, Lausii Taliauli, Sione Taula, Isaac Thompson.