Final squads declared for Dubai Sevens
The final squads have been declared by all 16 teams set to compete at the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens, with South Africa forced into a late change.
FULL SQUADS DETAILS - ALL TEAMS >>
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Key Springbok Sevens playmaker Branco du Preez suffered a hamstring injury in training yesterday and has been replaced in their final list of 12 by Ruwellyn Isbell, who made his debut at round one of the HSBC Sevens World Series in Australia last month.
The loss of scrum-half du Preez is a blow for Blitzbokke coach Paul Treu, who is already without the services of the injured Cecil Africa.
The South Africans name two debutants in their squad for Dubai, with 30 players in all set to compete for the first time at this level.
Of all 16 international men's sides, Gold Coast champions Fiji make the most changes, Alifereti Dere blooding seven more new players.
Australia have four debutants as they replace key injured players such as captain Ed Jenkins and Shannon Walker.
New Zealand name three debutants, including the hugely promising Ben Lam, as do Wales and Portugal.
Argentina, England, USA and the South Africans name two new players and Russia and Scotland just one.
Canada, France, Kenya, Samoa and Spain have all declared 12 players in Dubai with previous World Series experience.
- Dubai Pool A profile (FJI, KEN, ESP, SCO) >>
- Dubai Pool B profile (NZL, ARG, WAL, RUS) >>
- Dubai Pool C profile (RSA, SAM, ENG, POR) >>
- Dubai Pool D profile (FRA, AUS, CAN, USA) >>
