Wales Sevens head coach Paul John has selected a strong blend of experience and talent in the squad for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
Cross Keys and Dragons back row Jevon Groves leads a side which includes two Rugby World Cup Sevens winners in Richie Pugh and Lee Wiliams who return to the side after an eighteen month absence. Newport’s Rhys Jones has also been selected for the side.
There are three uncapped Sevens players in the squad with Wales wing Tom Prydie and fellow Ospreys flier Kristian Phillips both earning a place in the 12-man squad, along with Llanelli lock Aaron Shingler.
The remaining six places go to experienced Wales Sevens players who have been regular squad members since the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai in March 2009, with Jevon Groves, Ifan Evans and Alex Cuthbert participating in all eight of the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series tournaments.
John said, “We are very pleased with our preparations in the build-up to the Commonwealth Games. We have had two training camps, the first to RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire and the second last week in Scotland.
“We are extremely grateful to both the clubs and Regions for the release of players to us for this once in a lifetime opportunity. It’s a boost to the squad to have Rugby World Cup Sevens winners Richie Pugh and Lee Williams back in the fold. Their experience at both in sevens and in the fifteen-a-side game will be vital as we know the tournament in Delhi will be fiercely contested with medals at stake.
“The squad has gelled really well, with most of the players having trained and played together throughout last season. We have India, Tonga and South Africa in Pool A and if we progress to the quarter-final stage, we will face the winners or runners-up from Pool B – New Zealand, Scotland, Canada or Guyana. That has to be our aim – to reach the quarters and to have the belief to go further as we did at the Rugby World Cup Sevens.
“We’re looking forward to being part of Team Wales and experiencing the unique, multi-sport environment that is the Commonwealth Games. We have heard good reports from Team Wales who are already settled into our quarters in Delhi and we also know that the rugby venue adequately meets the required standards.”
The Wales Sevens squad complete their Commonwealth Games preparations in Dubai next week before continuing onto Delhi ahead of the Rugby Sevens competition at Delhi University on October 11-12.
Wales Sevens Commonwealth Games squad:
Jevon Groves (capt, Cross Keys), Richie Pugh (Scarlets), Ifan Evans (Llandovery), Rhys Shellard (Cardiff), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Lee Rees (Scarlets), Lee Williams (Scarlets), Rhys Jones (Newport), Gareth Davies (Cardiff), Tom Prydie (Ospreys), Kristian Phillips (Ospreys), Alex Cuthbert (Blues)
