The 24-year-old back row international is a veteran of the Wales Sevens side and is looking to get the national squad’s expanded season off to a flying start in Dubai on 29th November 2007.
“Sevens rugby has always been an important part of my rugby career, but now it is even more vital,” said Pugh. “I’m hoping that being seen on the IRB World Sevens circuit at Dubai and George – and hopefully a few other tournaments later in the season – will help me to push for a new contract at another Region or club.
“Playing for Wales at Sevens has been hugely important for a number of players recently. It helped to kick-start the careers of players like James Hook and helped to provide others like Tal Selley, Aled Thomas, Martyn Thomas and Wayne Evans with a huge boost.
“I’m confident in my ability and I want to get back into playing Regional or top-grade professional club rugby as soon as possible. Playing against the top nations in the world over the next few weeks in Dubai and George will enable me to showcase my talent.”
Wales kick off their IRB World Sevens Series campaign in Dubai at the end of the month and have been drawn in the same Pool as Samoa, Kenya and the USA. After that they will travel to South Africa for the second tournament of the season at George. There they will meet new opponents, Uganda, in their opening match on 7th December 2007.
Scarlets flanker Johnathan Edwards will skipper the 12 man squad which includes for the first time 21-year-old Ospreys scrum-half Martin Roberts and last season’s Wales U19 outside half, Gareth Owen. Owen has already played for the Ospreys in the Magners League.
Also included are two recent Wales U19 and U20 internationals, nineteen year old Ebbw Vale centre, James Lewis and fellow Dragons academy product, flanker James Harris. Both players have one Sevens tournament under their belt.
Former Wales U21 skipper James Merriman, now back in Wales after moved to Neath from Gloucester, returns to the sevens squad, while Ospreys wing Aled Brew joins Pugh as a senior international.
“We have an experienced and talented squad. Gareth Owen has shown a lot of power and pace in training and James Harris is back after participating in Dubai last season,” said Wales Sevens Coach Dai Rees. “It’s great to see Richie Pugh back and he will join Aled Brew and Johnathan Edwards in giving the squad some real experience.
“Johnathan is the only player to have participated in every tournament since our return to the circuit. Our aim this season is to reach at least six Cup quarter-finals and four semi-finals. The ultimate goal, though, is to bring a Cup home at some point during the season.”
Wales will play in all eight rounds of the IRB World Sevens Series for the first time this season after becoming a core member of the circuit.
Wales Sevens Squad: Johnathan Edwards (Scarlets, captain), Richie Pugh (Unattached), James Merriman (Neath), Dafydd Hewitt (Blues), James Harris (Dragons), Lee Williams (Scarlets), Martin Roberts (Ospreys), Gareth Owen (Ospreys), Rob McCusker (Scarlets), Gareth Chapman (Dragons), Aled Brew (Ospreys), James Lewis (Ebbw Vale)
IRB Sevens Series
Dubai: 29th November 2007Â – 1st December 2007
Pool A: New Zealand, France, Scotland, Arabian Gulf
Pool B: Fiji, Australia, Argentina, Zimbabwe
Pool C: Samoa, Wales, Kenya, USA
Pool D: South Africa, England, Canada, Tunisia
George:Â 7th – 8th December 2007
Pool A: New Zealand, England, Kenya, Zimbabwe
Pool B: Fiji, France, Canada, USA
Pool C: South Africa, Wales, Argentina, Uganda
Pool D: Samoa, Australia, Scotland, Tunisia
