Final Men’s Squads for Paris 7s

The final round of the 2017-18 HSBC Sevens Series is at hand and the overall title is still up for grabs. Fiji currently enjoy a seven-point lead over South Africa which will be difficult but not impossible to overcome. Key personnel changes to both teams will make things interesting.

It’s the Fijians who, on paper, have retained the strongest side. Semi Radradra and Josua Tuisova have returned to Fiji for the Pacific Nations Cup but have been replaced by Olympic Gold medal winner Semi Kunatani and another big forward in Mesulame Kunavula.

The Blitzbokke meanwhile have lost Cecil Afrika, Brando du Preez, and Stedman Gans. In their place are Mfundo Ndlovu, Rhyno Smith, and Dewald Human.

New Zealand have recalled Joe Ravouvou with Etene Nanai-Seturo missing out. Scotland have traded Gavin Lowe for Charlie Shiel, and Wales have said goodbye to Lloyd Williams with Ben Roach added to their forward arsenal.

Australia and Spain each show three changes. Tom Connor, John Porch, and Triston Reilly are out for Australia, coming in are Dylan Pietsch, Brandon Quinn, and Jeral Skelton. Spain have lost Igor Genua, Marcos Poggi, and Juan Ramos. Added to the side are Lucas Levy, Pablo Fontes, and Iñaki Mateu.

Ireland were the darlings of London after their stunning Bronze finish. They have nonetheless changed nearly half their side with five players out and six brought in to bring them up to a full complement of 13 players from 12. Outgoing are Robert Baloucoune, Ian Fitzpatrick, Foster Horan, Jimmy O’Brien, and John O’Donnell. Incoming are Sean Cribbin, Shane Daly, Adam Leavy, Alex McHenry, James O’Donovan, and Greg O’Shea.

Alex Davis is replaced by Will Edwards in the England lineup. Hosts France have upgraded their side with the additions of Tavite Veredamu, Alexandre Lagarde, and star playmaker Terry Bouhraoua. Dropping out are Johan Demai-Hamecher, Guillaume Manevy, and Pierre Migoni.

All three Americas teams have been forced into changes due to injury. Canada replace Matt Mullins with Josiah Morra, the USA brings in Alex Schwarz for Matai Leuta. Argentina have called two reinforcement to replace Franco Sábato and Germán Schulz – Severiano Escobio and Maximo Provenzano.

The Eagles are currently the top Americas team in 5th place overall but have England hot on their heels only two points behind. Argentina have slipped to 8th place but can only go up with Kenya just four points ahead. Canada are in 9th spot and cannot improve their position but must stave off Samoa, only three points adrift in 10th.

A complete fixture list can be seen here. Viewers in Canada can watch on the CBC Sports website. Those in the USA can watch on ESPN+, with ESPN holding the rights in South America. International viewers can access a live stream provided by World Rugby.

 

POOL A

FIJI (1)
Paula Dranisinukula, Semi Kunatani, Mesulame Kunavula, Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Waisea Nacuqu, Alasio Naduva, Amenoni Nasilasila, Kalione Nasoko, Vatemo Ravouvou, Eroni Sau, Jerry Tuwai (capt.), Josua Vakurunabili, Jasa Veremalua

NEW ZEALAND (3)
Kurt Baker (capt.), Dylan Collier, Scott Curry, Sam Dickson, Tim Mikkelson, Sione Molia, Jona Nareki, Tone Ng Shiu, Joe Ravouvou, Salesi Rayasi, Akuila Rokolisoa, Bailey Simonsson, Regan Ware

KENYA (7)
Eden Agero, Willy Ambaka, Andrew Amonde, Oscar Ayodi (capt.), Herman Humwa, Collins Injera, Augustine Lugunzo, Samuel Ngethe, Billy Odhiambo, Jeffery Oluoch, Erick Ombasa, Nelson Oyoo, Brian Tanga

SAMOA (10)
David Afamasaga, Elisapeta Alofipo, Tomasi Alosio, Va’a Apelu-Maliko, Malu Falaniko, Neria Fomai, Alamanda Motuga, Della Neli, Joe Perez, Tafatu Solia, Jonathan Timo, Belgium Tuatagaloa (capt.), Danny Tusitala

 

POOL B

SOUTH AFRICA (2)
Heino Bezuidenhout, Zain Davids, Justin Geduld, Dewald Human, Werner Kok, Mfundo Ndlovu, Ruhan Nel, Ryan Oosthuizen, Dylan Sage, Seabelo Senatla, Rhyno Smith, Philip Snyman (capt.), Siviwe Soyizwapi

CANADA (9)
Luke Bradley, Connor Braid, Andrew Coe, Admir Cejvanovic, Justin Douglas, Mike Fuailefau, Lucas Hammond, Nathan Hirayama (capt.), Harry Jones, Isaac Kaay, Pat Kay, Luke McCloskey, Josiah Morra

RUSSIA (15)
Vladimir Aksenov, Ilya Babaev, German Davydov, Ramil Gaisin, Igor Galinovski, Yuri Gostyuzhev, Vladislav Lazarenko, Vladimir Ostroushko (capt.), Ivan Ovchinnikov, Denis Simplikevich, Vladislav Sozonov. Sergei Yanyushkin, Vitali Zhivatov

SCOTLAND (11)
Bobby Beattie, Jack Cuthbert, Harvey Elms, Jamie Farndale, Robbie Fergusson, Nyle Godsmark, Darcy Graham, Max McFarland, Nick McLennan, Ally Miller, Joe Nayacavou, Scott Riddell (capt.), Charlie Shiel

 

POOL C

IRELAND (16)
Jordan Conroy, Sean Cribbin, Shane Daly, Billy Dardis (capt.), Hugo Keenan, Terry Kennedy, Adam Leavy, Alex McHenry, Harry McNulty, Bryan Mollen, James O’Donovan, Greg O’Shea, Mark Roche

AUSTRALIA (4)
Lachie Anderson, Tim Anstee, Lewis Holland (capt.), Boyd Killingworth, Maurice Longbottom, Tom Lucas, Liam McNamara, Sam Myers, Ben O’Donnell, Dylan Pietsch, Joe Pincus, Brandon Quinn, Jarel Skelton

WALES (14)
Afon Bagshaw, Cai Devine, Lloyd Evans, Jason Harries, Joe Jenkins, Owen Jenkins, Luke Morgan, Ben Roach, Jared Rosser, Will Talbot-Davies, Adam Thomas (capt.), Luke Treharne, Tom Glyn Williams

SPAIN (13)
Alejandro Alonso. Jaike Carter, Javier de Juan, Pablo Fontes, Francisco Hernández (capt.), Lucas Levy, Ignacio Martin, Iñaki Mateu, Tom Pearce, Pol Plà, Ignacio Rodriguez-Guerra, Manuel Sainz, Iñaki Villanueva

 

POOL D

ENGLAND (6)
Dan Bibby, Tom Bowen, Phil Burgess, Will Edwards, Mike Ellery, Harry Glover, Charlie Hayter, Ollie Lindsay-Hague, Tom Mitchell (capt.), Dan Norton, Ryan Olowofela, James Rodwell, Ethan Waddleton

USA (5)
Malon Al-Jiboori, Danny Barrett, Madison Hughes (capt.), Martin Iosefo, Carlin Isles, Chris Mattina, Folau Niua, Ben Pinkelman, Alex Schwarz, Faitala Talapusi, Brett Thompson, Stephen Tomasin, Kevon Williams

ARGENTINA (8)
Santiago Álvarez, Lautaro Bazán, Julián Domínguez, Severiano Escobio, Rodrigo Etchart, Luciano González Rizzoni, Santiago Mare, Nicolás Menéndez, Marcos Moroni, Matías Osadczuk, Maximo Provenzano, Gastón Revol (capt.), Juan Rosas Paz

FRANCE (12)
Jean-Pascal Barraque (capt.), Steeve Barry, Bastien Berenguel, Kevin Bly, Paul Bonnefond, Pierre Boudehent, Terry Bouhraoua, Alexandre Lagarde, Jonathan Laugel, Stephan Parez, Paulin Riva, Rémi Siega, Tavite Veredamu