Experienced Wales Sevens squad announced

Rees has named only one player in his squad with no IRB Sevens experience – Blues centre Dafydd Hewitt.

Llanelli’s Jonathan Edwards, who has represented Wales at every tournament since Wales returned to the IRB Sevens circuit last season, holds onto the Captain’s armband after leading Wales to Plate and Bowl wins at the Hong Kong and Adelaide Sevens in March.

Rees said, “This is our most experienced squad in that everyone bar Dafydd, who looks like he could be a good forward option at Sevens, has at least two IRB Sevens tournaments under their belt.

“It is good to see wing Jonathan Vaughton and forward James Merriman back in the squad for the first time this season, while Jonathan Edwards was an obvious choice to remain as skipper as the ever-present member of the squad.

“We have a good chance of being competitive at both of these home Union events. Our aim has to be to reach the last eight at both, although the other home Unions have also strengthened their squads for these tournaments, especially England who we will face at Twickenham on Saturday.

Rees says the team deserve more recognition for the results and performances they have achieved since returning to the sevens circuit.

“We have proved the value of Sevens rugby by moving up the IRB rankings and picking up a trophy at each event so far. Sevens has also proved to be a vital development tool, acting as a stepping stone to regional rugby for the majority of the players involved.

“There is a huge following for Wales elsewhere on our travels – especially in far-flung places such as Hong Kong – it would be great to get some good, Welsh support at Twickenham on the weekend.”

England Sevens, Twickenham, May 26th and 27th
Pool D Wales, England, Portugal, South Africa

Scotland Sevens, Murrayfield, June 2nd and 3rd
Pool B Wales, France, Italy, Samoa

Wales squad:

Jonathan EDWARDS (CAPT, LLANELLI RFC)
DoB: 08.03.84. 5’11”. 15st 10lbs
International record: Uncapped
Sevens record: 2005/6 – Dubai, George, Commonwealth Games, Hong Kong; 2006/07 – Dubai, George, Hong Kong, Adelaide

Lee BEACH (OSPREYS)
DoB: 06.10.82. 6′ 2″ 16st 7lb
International record: uncapped
Sevens record: 2006/07 – Dubai, George, Hong Kong, Adelaide

Wayne EVANS (BLUES)
DoB: 03.06.84. 5’10”. 12st 9lb
International record: Uncapped
Sevens record: 2005/6 – Dubai, George, Commonwealth Games, Hong Kong
2006/7 – Hong Kong and Adelaide

Dafydd HEWITT (BLUES)
DoB: 21.08.85. 5’11” 13st 7lbs
International record: uncapped
Sevens record: uncapped

Rhodri McATEE (PENZANCE)
DoB: 02.08.84. 5’10”. 12st 8lbs
International record: Uncapped
Sevens record: 2005/6 – Dubai, George, Commonwealth Games, Hong Kong;
2006/7 – Dubai, George, Hong Kong

Rob McCUSKER (SCARLETS)
DoB: 10.12.85. 6’4″ 105kg
International record: uncapped
Sevens record: 2006/7 – Hong Kong and Adelaide

James MERRIMAN (NEATH)
DoB: 17.01.84. 6’0″, 14st 7lbs
International record: Uncapped
Sevens record: 2005/6 – Dubai, George, Commonwealth Games, Hong Kong

Tal SELLEY (OSPREYS)
DoB: 20.04.80. 6′ 0″, 14st 11lb 
International record: 1 cap (W1; 5pts – 1T)
Sevens record: 2005/6 – Dubai, George, Commonwealth Games, Hong Kong;
2006/7 – Dubai, Hong Kong, Adelaide

Aled THOMAS (DRAGONS)
DoB: 02.01.85. 6′ 1″ 14st
International record: uncapped
Sevens record: 2006/7 – Dubai and George

Martyn THOMAS (DRAGONS)
DoB: 24.04.87. 5′ 11″ 12st 11lb
International record: uncapped
Sevens record: 2006/7 – Dubai and George

Jonathan VAUGHTON
DoB: 21.01.82. 1. 5′ 10″ 13st 1lb
International record: uncapped
Sevens record: 2005/6 – Dubai, George, Commonwealth Games, Hong Kong

Lee WILLIAMS (SCARLETS ACADEMY / Llanelli RFC)
DoB: 27.10.86 5′ 7″ 12st 0lb
International record: uncapped
Sevens record: 2006/7 – Dubai, George and Adelaide