The second leg of the competition – formerly known as the FIRA-AER Grand Prix – is the last chance for any players to impress as Wales Sevens head coach Gareth Williams prepares to confirm his Commonwealth Games squad next week.
Wales struggled in the first leg in Lyon (France) but Williams is hoping that the players selected this weekend will view the tournament as a last chance to stake a claim for Glasgow.
“The boys who played in Lyon learned some harsh lessons. We did, however, take a development side to France and have retained four of those players for Moscow.
“We are in a tough group with Spain, Russia and Italy this weekend but with a number of new players being added to the squad, I’m hopeful of a good tournament.”
Williams has included Craig Price, Iolo Evans, Jason Harries and Alex Webber, who are all regular members of the Wales IRB World Sevens series squad, while Jevon Groves and Will Harries also return to the abbreviated form of the game after a spell away from the game.
“The Commonwealth Games squad will be announced next Friday so there is a lot to play for with a number of boys pushing hard for selection,” said Williams.
“We’ll have to target each game as it comes but having picked an experienced squad with a sprinkling of development players, I’ll think there is an ideal mix of experience and youthful potential within the squad so we are optimistic of doing well.”
Wales Rugby Europe squad for Moscow:
Craig Price, Iolo Evans, Jason Harries, Jevon Groves, Kier Hughes, Luke Treharne, Nicki Griffiths, Chris Banfield, Will Harries, Geraint Walsh, Alex Webber, Gavin Thomas.
