The youngsters, who currently play for Ebbw Vale in the Principality Premiership have come through the Dragons Academy and Welsh international age grade system but it will be the first time for a set of twins to represent Wales at senior rugby – and they can’t wait to get stuck in.
Centre James has already played for Wales Sevens at four IRB Sevens tournaments, particularly impressing onlookers at the George Sevens in South Africa last month, but it will be a whole new experience for scrum half Robert, younger brother to James by 10 minutes.
James said, “International Sevens is an awesome experience, the best thing I have done. The global travelling and the pace of the game take a bit of getting used to, but I’m sure by the time we get to San Diego, the second leg of these two tournaments, Robert will have settled into the rhythm.”
Robert said, “I just can’t wait to get involved. I’ve been training with the squad all season and learning from experienced Sevens players like Tal (Selley), Daf (Hewitt) and Johnathan Edwards, but I’m also looking forward to having my brother around to show me the ropes.”
Wales face England on Day One of the Wellington Sevens – on the eve of the big Six Nations opener at Twickenham – and Robert and James will no doubt come up against a familiar face, fellow Ebbw Vale teammate Simon Hunt.
James recalled, “I have been enjoying bragging rights at Ebbw Vale training sessions since December after scoring the winning try against Simon to clinch the Bowl title in George. So in Sevens terms we have our own scores to settle, but we can get a win, I’m sure it will give the senior boys a boost before their game at Twickenham.
“We are aiming to get to the Cup quarter-finals at both the Wellington and San Diego events and to do that, we will need to do well against England. However, they have strengthened their squad with players like Gollings and Erinle so it won’t be easy.”
Wales Sevens Squad for New Zealand and USA: Johnathan Edwards (Scarlets, Captain), Richie Pugh (Cardiff), Dafydd Hewitt (Blues), James Harris (Dragons), Lee Williams (Scarlets), Robert Lewis (Dragons), Aled Thomas (Dragons) Alec Jenkins (Scarlets), Tal Selley (Blues), Nick Wakely (Newport, San Diego only), Lee Beach (Neath, Wellington only), Lewis Evans (Dragons), James Lewis (Dragons)
IRB Sevens World Series
New Zealand Sevens – February 1st / 2nd, Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Pool B – Fiji, England, WALES, Cook Islands
USA Sevens – February 9th / 10th, PETCO Park, San Diego, California
Pool A – New Zealand, Scotland, WALES, France
