Cardiff Blues scrum half Lewis Jones will make his Wales debut in Scotland this weekend while Ospreys’ Aled Jenkins returns to the squad after recovering from a knee injury in the Las Vegas leg of this season’s series. The other change sees Scarlets winger Kristian Phillips make his first start since featuring in the last two legs of the 2012 campaign.
“Aled was injured in the last block but has progressed well during the year – he is a good addition to the squad,” said Williams.
“Lewis makes his debut at scrum half. He’s been full of energy since coming in to the training set-up and it’s good to introduce him to tournament play while we already know the threat Kristian poses out wide so it’s exciting to involve him again,” he added.
Wales have slipped to 12th in the overall rankings but have pushed England, Fiji and Australia closely in recent tournaments as that trio chase Olympic qualification.
Wales have been grouped with hosts Scotland, Portugal and Fiji in another tough pool and know they will have to be at their best if they are to make the quarter-finals in Glasgow.
“Portugal are a real handful and have caused some major problems this campaign for the top teams,” said Williams.
“Scotland are our bogey side – we have failed to perform against them this season so there is a personal challenge for every player to raise their game and get stuck in to them. Playing Fiji is one of the toughest challenges in the game so that’s an exciting prospect.
“The boys learned a lot of lessons from the last two legs in Hong Kong and Japan. Our performances in Tokyo were pleasing so we’ve got something to build on heading into Glasgow.”
Wales Sevens squad
Jevon Groves (WRU – Captain)
Sam Cross (WRU)
Craig Price (Scarlets)
Aled Jenkins (Ospreys)
Rhodri Davies (Llandovery)
Lewis Jones (Cardiff Blues)
Angus O’Brien (Newport Gwent Dragons)
Dan Fish (Cardiff Blues)
Kristian Phillips (Scarlets)
Adam Warren (Scarlets)
Luke Morgan (Dragons)
Tom Williams (Cardiff Blues)
