Wales Sevens squad announced

The Wales squad fly to Dubai on Monday and Ospreys flanker Richie Pugh will retain the captain’s armband after successfully leading Wales last season. In their first season back in Sevens action since 2002, Wales lifted the Plate Trophy in all four tournaments they competed in – Dubai, George (SA), Commonwealth Games and Hong Kong.

“It’s been tough once again identifying available players that fit our criteria for Sevens in a busy regional and international period. However, we are pleased that the Regions have released some of our more experienced Sevens players and some key development players” said Dai Rees.

“That balance is indicated in the squad which fits in with the WRU’s strategic aims for international Sevens which are to blood some up and coming stars on a high profile stage in the same way that James Hook has made huge steps since playing for Wales Sevens last season.

“This squad contains four of our Wales U20 squad in back row James Harris, wings Alec Jenkins and Thomas James and full back Martyn Thomas.

“We’ve also got a number of last season’s U21 internationals and some experienced Sevens players such as captain Richie Pugh. Jonathan Edwards, Rhodri McAtee and Tal Selley, who will join us in South Africa for the George tournament, played in every tournament we participated in last season and are key players for us.

“We are victims of our own success in terms of players such as James Hook and Wayne Evans securing firm places within their regional squads, making them unavailable for the Sevens Series this season. Our objectives are to ensure the development of a number of youngsters, which comes from exposing them to a world class competition environment.

“If two or three of our Sevens squad become established regional players by this time next year – or even further progress into the senior Wales squad as James Hook has done – we will have done our job. There could potentially be players in this squad who achieve that, after all, before stepping out for Wales against Australia earlier this month, the only time James had been exposed to crowds of 40,000 plus was on the Sevens circuit last season. That was undoubtedly a vital cog in his development as a big stage player.”

Wales will compete at six tournaments in IRB Sevens Series tournaments this season – Dubai, George, Adelaide, Hong Kong, Scotland and England.

WALES SEVENS SQUAD 2006-2007

Richie PUGH (Capt, Ospreys)
DoB: 10.08.83. 5’11”. 14st 6lbs
International record: 1 cap (W 1; 5 pts – 1T)
Sevens record: 2005/6 – Dubai and Commonwealth Games

Lee BEACH (Ospreys)
DoB: 06.10.82. 6′ 2″. 16st 7lbs
International record: uncapped
Sevens record: uncapped

Gareth CHAPMAN (Dragons)
DoB: 16.04.80. 185 cm. 82kg
International record: uncapped
Sevens record: 2005/6 – George and Hong Kong

Jonathan EDWARDS (Llanelli RFC)
DoB: 08.03.84. 5’11”. 15st 10lbs
International record: uncapped
Sevens record: 2005/6 – Dubai, George, Commonwealth Games, Hong Kong

James HARRIS (Dragons academy / Bedwas RFC)
DoB: 26.08.87. 185cm. 96kg
International record: uncapped
Sevens record: uncapped

Thomas JAMES (Blues academy / Cardiff RFC)
DoB: 17.04.87 195cm. 95kg
International record: uncapped
Sevens record: uncapped

Alec JENKINS (Scarlets academy / Llanelli RFC)
DoB: 07.07.87. 187cm. 87kg
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

Richard MUSTOE (Ospreys)
DoB: 09.12.81. 6’1″. 13st 3lbs
International record: uncapped
Sevens record: uncapped

Tal SELLEY (Ospreys)
DoB: 20.04.80. 183 cm. 93kg
International record: 1 cap (W1; 5pts – 1T)
Sevens record: 2005/6 – Dubai, George, Commonwealth Games, Hong Kong

Aled THOMAS (Dragons)
DoB: 02.01.85. 183cm. 90kg
International record: uncapped
Sevens record: uncapped

Martyn THOMAS (Scarlets academy / Llanelli RFC)
DoB: 24.04.87. 180cm. 83kg
International record: uncapped
Sevens record: uncapped

Lee WILLIAMS (Scarlets academy / Llanelli RFC)
DoB: 27.10.86 175cm. 78kg
International record: uncapped
Sevens record: uncapped

Wales Sevens Team Management:
Head Coach: Dai Rees
Assistant coach: Gareth Baber
Manager: David Jenkins
Fitness Coach: Huw Wiltshire
Physio: Hywel Griffiths