Dragons No.8 Rhys Oakley, Dragons scrum half Gareth Baber and Dragons Development flanker Chris Davies will all travel with the Welsh squad which is being coached by Dragons skills coach Dai Rees. Ospreys and Wales flanker Richie Pugh will captain the side.
Commenting on the squad Dai said,
“We have got a great blend of youth and experience in our squad and it will be fantastic for these players to mix with some of the greatest sevens players in the world.We couldn't have asked for a tougher return to the world sevens stage. We have been pooled with the reigning Rugby World Cup holders Fiji and Samoa in Dubai and then the IRB Series champions New Zealand and Argentina in George. "The Welsh regions have all bought into our return to the sevens arena and we have been given a talented group of players. Richie Pugh will lead the side and we also have capped players in Tal Selley and Rhys Oakley. The great thing about sevens rugby at this level is that it can teach something to everyone. The younger players will be able to find out first hand just how quick and skilful the top sevens exponents are, while the older players can also hone their skills. Sevens rugby presents different challenges to players. You have to learn to handle the ball at pace, play at an exhaustive level if you are a forward and learn how to attack space. I've been studying a lot of videos of the recent IRB Series and the pace and power of the top teams is incredible. No wonder countries like New Zealand and Australia have been able to use the world sevens circuit as a breeding ground for their young talent. Our preparation for Dubai and George has been limited and we've had a few issues. We lost last season's Wales Under 19 flier Darren Daniel with a knee injury and English-based Andy Williams (Bath) and Rhodri Gomer Davies (Northampton Saints) were unable to secure release from their clubs. These two tournaments are all able preparing for the Commonwealth Games next year, although the squad we take to Australia won't contain anyone invited in the Six Nations or Under 21 Six Nations. But whichever way you look at it, Wales returning to the world sevens fold is a positive step and one which can only benefit those players who make the trips."
Wales will compete in the IRB World Sevens Series in Dubai 1-2 December and in George 9-10 December.
7s Squad
Richie Pugh (c), James Merriman, Gareth Baber, Jonny Vaughton, James Hook, Jonathan Edwards, Rhys Oakley, Rhodri McAtee, Aled Brew, Tal Selley, Wayne Evans, Gareth Chapman, Chris Davies.
