Wales men’s sevens squad named for LA tournament Head coach Richie Pugh has named his Wales men’s Sevens squad for the final leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Los Angeles (27/28 August) - and he includes Dragons ace Ewan Rosser.
Drawn in Pool C, Wales take on Fiji, Ireland and France on day one.
There are two new faces in the squad with Scarlets back row Iestyn Rees and Royal Navy winger Kane Teear-Bourge getting their first taste on the world series.
“Iestyn is someone who has come late into the programme. He’s a big physical character so that is something we are always looking for,” said Pugh.
“He’s athletic as well and can do a job from a forwards point of view in the contact area. We’re looking for him to be dominant and bring that physical edge that is needed really.
“Kane did really well for us in Rugby Europe when introduced to the programme so we’re excited to see how both of them go.
“There are no easy teams on the world series but what’s different for us this time is that it is obviously the last time representing the country on the world series so it’s a special occasion on that front.
“First up we face Fiji who have become familiar foes in a sense as we’ve had them for the last three tournaments, they are potential opposition in the World Cup next week so we’re looking forward to facing them in the first game.
“Ireland are a really strong impressive outfit. They are reaching semi-finals and they’re pushing the top teams consistently now and they are a well drilled and well coached team and do the simple things well with a lot of threats.
“Then we have France who have always impressed me this year, a team we have struggled to contain so it’s a big challenge for us on day one but the boys are excited to go and represent Wales and represent the jersey for what could be one of the last few times.”
Wales enter the tournament after hearing the news that former player Ethan Davies has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and urgently needs to find a matching blood stem cell donor.
“When news broke amongst the squad about Ethan the boys took time to reflect,” said Pugh. “They understand he has been a big part of the performance programme.
“He was a special player when he was on the world series with Wales. He did a lot in the Welsh jersey, so our thoughts are with him, and we want to support him and give him strength through this time.
“I know messages have been going out there about registering to be a donor and that is the first thing we can all do – put that link out there to show people that we can all play a part in supporting Ethan in that. We wish him all the best in his battle. I know he is a fighter, and he is a strong kid and we’re all here for him.”
Wales men’s Sevens squad
Luke Treharne (Wales 7s)
Iestyn Rees (Scarlets)
Morgan Sieniawski (Wales 7s)
Chris Smith (Bishop’s Stortford)
Tom Brown (Wales 7s)
Callum Williams (Scarlets)
Callum Carson (Aberavon)
Iwan Pyrs Jones (Hartpury)
Morgan Williams (Wales 7s)
Cole Swannack (Newport)
Lloyd Lewis (Wales 7s)
Ewan Rosser (Dragons)
Kane Teear-Bourge (Royal Navy)
