Rugby World Cup Sevens winning captain Lee Beach returns to the Wales Sevens squad for the final two IRB Sevens World Series tournaments of the season.
His inclusion means that three members of Wales’ World Cup winning squad will be running out at Twickenham and Edinburgh over the next two weekends, along with Ospreys scrum half Rhys Webb and Newport’s Craig Hill.
Wales Sevens head coach Paul John admits the side is aiming for consistency of performance as they prepare to travel the short distance down the M4 to England’s rugby headquarters.
He said, “With the club season having come to an end, Lee Beach has been released from London Welsh for these two tournaments and he will certainly bring some added experience to the side, especially with Justin Tipuric and Chris Davies missing the tournaments through injury.
“We are looking forward to the London tournament this weekend, it’s the closest we come to playing at home during the international Sevens season and hopefully there will be some vocal Welsh support in the Twickenham crowd.
“We have a tough Pool with New Zealand first up who are going for the Series title, Kenya, who are very consistent performers this season, and Portugal who are also a very good Sevens side.
“We have shown this season that we can beat the best in beating Fiji in Adelaide, but we have to strive for consistency of performance in all our Pool matches in order to reach the Cup quarter-finals which is always our aim.
“After London we have another tough challenge with Scotland in our Pool who, as the home team have the pick of players from their two professional sides, along with Fiji, and the USA who have reached their highest ever World Series ranking of ninth just behind Argentina.
“It would be great to finish the season on a high. We have blooded a number of young players this season who are a key part of the squad for these two tournaments. Jevon Groves has excelled throughout the season and will captain the season, while Lee Rees, Alex Walker, Gareth Davies, Lloyd Williams and Alex Cuthbert all gained their first Sevens caps this season.”
Wales Sevens squad for London Sevens (May 22, 23) and Edinburgh Sevens (May 29, 30):
Jevon Groves (captain, Cross Keys), Rhys Shellard (Cardiff), Ifan Evans (Llandovery), Craig Hill (Newport), Lee Beach (London Welsh), Lee Rees (Scarlets Academy), Alex Walker (Dragons), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Rhys Jones (Cornish Pirates), Gareth Davies (Cardiff), Lloyd Williams (Blues), Alex Cuthbert (UWIC)
