Not only will Wales now be on every team’s hit list as the team to beat, John has had to prepare a side which has little resemblance to the one which stunned the rugby world in Dubai when lifting the Melrose Cup.
Only two players – Ospreys scrum half Rhys Webb and flanker James Merriman – are available for selection due to regional commitments which has forced John to name four uncapped players in the squad for the Hong Kong and Adelaide legs of the series.
“It’s going to be difficult, no doubt about it,” said John. “We’ve only got two boys released from their clubs so we haven’t got that consistency in selection. We’ve only had it once this year and then we won the World Cup.”
Despite fielding a new look team, John is looking forward to the challenge which awaits. “Anybody who follows Sevens rugby knows how big Hong Kong is,” he said. “Points are worth double here as well and the new boys have been training hard. This experience can only be good for their development and I only hope we can do ourselves justice.”
Wales begin their campaign tomorrow with a game against Japan before taking on China and England on Saturday.
John concluded: “Hong Hong is a 24-team tournament over three days, similar to the World Cup which means that only the top team in each Pool is guaranteed a path to the quarter-finals. We have China on the opening night, who will pose a very physical threat, then Japan and England on Day Two. Japan caused us problems when we faced them in San Diego recently, while England will be eager to prove a point after failing to qualify for the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.”
Wales Sevens squad for Hong Kong and Adelaide Sevens: James Merriman (capt, unattached), Tal Selley (Dragons), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Ifan Evans (Llandovery), Jimmy Norris (Bedwas), Tom Slater (Coventry), Will Harries (Northampton), Dai Flanagan (Blues), James Lewis (Ebbw Vale), Rhys Shellard (Cardiff), Jevon Groves (Cross Keys), Michael Collins (Ospreys), Gavin Dacey (Pontypridd)
