Australia look for experience

Australia's squad for the final two legs of the IRB World Seven Series, in London and Edinburgh, includes five Super 14 players.

Australia's squad for the final two legs of the IRB World Seven Series, in London and Edinburgh, includes five Super 14 players.

Dual international Andrew Walker has again been selected after appearing in the Hong Kong and Adelaide tournaments earlier this year, while fellow Queensland Reds backs Caleb Brown and Scott Higginbotham will again don the gold jersey.

Western Force flanker Matt Hodgson has been called up and will make his first Sevens start since Paris in 2005 while Brumbies winger Afusipa Taumoepeau will make his debut at Twickenham.

Five other players from coach Bill Millard's squad for the Adelaide Sevens have been retained including Warringah trio – Willie Bishop, Peter Owens and Ross Duncan – and Sevens veterans Shawn Mackay and Damon Murphy.

Coach Millard said the Australian team was looking to finish the season strongly and their preparation for the season ending tournaments had received a boost from an unlikely source.

“We want to finish with some strong momentum which will help us in the lead up to next season,” Millard said.

“England's Ben Gollings, now living in Brisbane, joined us in assembly and having the highest points scorer in World Sevens history and arguably the best Sevens player in the world was a great opportunity for all the squad to learn what it takes to reach the top in Sevens.”

Australia have been drawn with Fiji, Canada and Portugal in Pool C for the London Sevens, which starts this Saturday.

Australian Sevens: Shawn Mackay (c), William Bishop, Caleb Brown, Ross Duncan, Scott Higginbotham, Matthew Hodgson, Damon Murphy, Peter Owens, Afusipa Taumoepeau, Andrew Walker, Tim Walsh, Andrew Wiles.