Head coach Simon Middleton has picked two teams to play in Kazan in the opening round of the Rugby Europe Grand Prix Sevens Series.
Jasmine Joyce is included in the GB Lions squad that will face Ukraine, Portugal and Spain in the opening pools. Keira Bevan, Sioned Harries and Sian Williams will feature in a GB Royals squad that also includes a Scot and eight English players.
Among the eight English internationals in the Royals squad is Cardiff-born Megan Jones, who was educated at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf. The Royals will play the Netherlands, France and Finland.
To have a focused look at the players in a busy playing schedule, Middleton will lead the GB Lions, supported by GB assistant coach Richie Pugh, while England assistant coach Susie Appleby and James Cooper lead GB Royals.
“This is all about preparation for the Olympics. The Lions give a reflection of the continuity we’ve developed over the course of the past three World Series tournaments,” said Middleton.
“The Royals side provides an opportunity for those players knocking on the door to give an account of themselves before selection is confirmed. We have this tournament and then a training camp in Wales before we name the squad for Rio.
“This is therefore one of the last opportunities for players to force their way into the Olympic squad. Regardless of final selection any of these players can potentially come into the equation at any time and they therefore need to take this chance to show they are ready to step in and perform to the level required.
“We know there are going to be sides that don’t get the opportunity to play as often as we do, but there are also sides that have shown themselves to be very competitive on the World Series.
“The tournament therefore offers different challenges but for us it’s about consistency of our own performance and setting our own standards. There will be tough games and there is no doubt that we need to be competitive this weekend.”
Kazan is the first of two legs for the Rugby Europe Grand Prix Sevens Series, with the second taking place in Brive, France, after the Olympics on 24-25 September. For this season the GB Lions and GB Royals have taken the places of Wales and England.
GB Lions: Claire Allan, Abbie Brown, Heather Fisher, Vicky Fleetwood, Natasha Hunt, Jasmine Joyce, Sarah Mckenna, Katy Mclean, Alice Richardson (captain), Danielle Waterman, Jo Watmore, Amy Wilson Hardy
GB Royals: Keira Bevan, Natasha Brennan, Rachael Burford (captain), Sioned Harries, Megan Jones, Stephanie Johnston, Fran Matthews, Marlie Packer, Emily Scott, Michaela Staniford, Sian Williams, Kay Wilson
