Rees backs Hewitt as forward option

In a side led by Llanelli’s Jonathan Edwards, Rees has named only one player in his squad with no IRB Sevens experience in Cardiff Blues centre Hewitt. Rees is confident his team can build on their recent Plate and Bowl wins and impress in the England and Scotland Sevens tournaments which kick off at Twickenham on Saturday.

He said: “We go in confident mood and have a strong squad at our disposal. Dafydd is our new face and he looks a good forward option at Sevens and we are looking forward to seeing him in action. He’s quick, athletic and will certainly add to our options. We have a good blend and a good chance of being competitive at both of these home Union events.”

Captain Edwards is also confident his young side can put down a marker at Twickenham and Murrayfield where they will face the likes of South Africa and Samoa over the next two weekends.

“We have a young team, but one who are very hungry to succeed and who are learning all the time at this level,” he added. “It’s important we go out there with all guns blazing and play with no fear.”

Wales Sevens: Jonathan Edwards (Llanelli, capt), Lee Beach (Ospreys), Wayne Evans (Blues), Dafydd Hewitt (Blues), Rhodri McAtee (Penzance), Rob McCusker (Scarlets), James Merriman (Neath), Tal Selley (Ospreys), Aled Thomas (Dragons), Martyn Thomas (Dragons), Lee Williams (Scarlets Academy), Jonathan Vaughton (Ospreys)

England Sevens, Twickenham, May 26th and 27th 2007
Pool D Wales, England, Portugal, South Africa

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