AUSTRALIA (SEEDED 6)
Captain Lewis Holland and Jesse Parahi are the only players in the 12-man squad to have previously played at a Rugby World Cup Sevens. Both Olympians recently signed new two-year contracts with Rugby Australia with a view to competing at Tokyo 2020, but their immediate focus is on bringing the gold medal back from San Francisco.
Sam Myers is not far behind in terms of experience, while the likes of Maurice Longbottom, Ben O’Donnell, Brandon Quinn and Liam McNamara are in the early stages of their careers. The return of Henry Hutchison, a former series rookie of the year, to the sevens fold gives Tim Walsh’s side a boost.
“Liam (McNamara) has had a tough run with injuries over the last while but really came back strong in Paris last month to force my hand. He’s a great ball player with awareness, time and composure so I’m looking forward to seeing him play to his potential,” said coach Tim Walsh.
Squad: Lachlan Anderson, Tim Anstee, Lewis Holland (captain), Henry Hutchison, Boyd Killingworth, Maurice Longbottom, Tom Lucas, Liam McNamara, Sam Myers, Ben O’Donnell, Jesse Parahi, John Porch, Brandon Quinn.
SCOTLAND (SEEDED 8)
Scott Riddell captains Scotland in what will be his third Rugby World Cup Sevens, making him the only member of the squad with previous experience of the tournament. Sam Pecquer is involved with Scotland Sevens for the first time since the Cape Town round of the series last December after recovering from a leg injury that kept him out for most of the season. Half of the players selected were also members of the Scotland squad that competed at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games in April.
Having narrowly failed to win a place at the 15s Rugby World Cup in 2011, once-capped Bristol-born winger Jack Cuthbert can now look forward to appearing in sevens’ marquee event.
“We’re looking to build on the experiences gained by this group so far this season. The World Cup is a unique tournament to be involved in and both preparing for and competing at it will be great for the development of the young players in our squad,” said head coach John Dalziel.
Squad: Scott Riddell (captain), Nyle Godsmark, Jo Nayacavou, Jack Cuthbert, Alec Coombes, Robbie Fergusson, Gavin Lowe, Craig Jackson, Harvey Elms, Max McFarland, Jamie Farndale, Sam Pecquer.
KENYA (SEEDED 9)
Kenya have named one of the most experienced squad’s in the competition with five Olympians, including Collins Injera, the second highest try scorer in HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series history, and Andrew Amonde. Injera is poised to appear at his third Rugby World Cup Sevens and will be hoping his firepower can help the Shujaa Sevens better their semi-final appearances at the last two editions held in Russia (2013) and Dubai (2009).
Amonde and Willy Ambaka are back for their second Rugby World Cup Sevens in a squad captained by Oscar Ayodi.
“We have a very strong squad based on training. The guys have really trained hard and we believe we have selected the best team that can represent the country. We’re looking for good performances from the players and, hopefully, we can get some good results,” said coach Innocent Simiyu, who was involved in RWC Sevens 2009 as a player.
Squad: Oscar Ayodi (captain), Collins Injera, Andrew Amonde, William Ambaka, Samuel Oliech, Nelson Oyoo, Dennis Ombachi, Jeff Oluoch, Brian Tanga, Eden Agero, Herman Humwa, Samuel Ngethe.
CANADA (SEEDED 10)
Harry Jones, who has recently passed the 100-try mark on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, leads Canada at what will be his third Rugby World Cup tournament. The 28-year-old took part in the last sevens showpiece in Moscow in 2013 as well as the 15s version two years’ later.
Jones’ leadership role will be complemented by long-time team-mate and 2018 series leading points scorer Nathan Hirayama as well as the DHL Impact Player Justin Douglas.
Coach Damian McGrath’s squad includes five members – Jones, Hirayama, Lucas Hammond, Mike Fuailefau, and Justin Douglas – from the 2013 campaign, which saw Canada finish in ninth place. Andrew Coe, Isaac Kaay, Connor Braid, Admir Cejvanovic, Pat Kay, Luke McCloskey and Matt Mullins are set to make their Rugby World Cup Sevens debuts.
Squad: Connor Braid, Andrew Coe, Admir Cejvanovic, Justin Douglas, Mike Fuailefau, Lucas Hammond, Nathan Hirayama, Harry Jones (captain), Isaac Kaay, Pat Kay, Luke McCloskey, Matt Mullins.