Sevens dynamos Williams and Mack return

• Sevens World Cup winner Lee Williams back for Wales 
• Canada: return of the Mack ; first tour for new coach Liam Middleton

 
Wales sevens playmaker Lee Williams is among the four changes to Gareth Williams' squad for the upcoming rounds of the HSBC Sevens World Series in Dubai and South Africa.

Having reached the quarter-finals at the opening round on the Gold Coast, Wales now welcome back veteran Williams along with Ospreys duo Lloyd Evans and Aled Jenkins and Newport Gwent Dragons' Steffan Jones, and will again be captained by forward Jevon Groves, pictured.

Jevon Groves - Wales

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"Two quarter-finals minimum is the target from our point of view,” said head coach Williams, whose side is drawn in Dubai against South Africa, Portugal and Canada. "We came back from the Gold Coast knowing we were in a position that we could have sneaked a win against South Africa in the first pool game and with two and a half minutes to go against Fiji we were still in that game. But a little bit of inexperience saw us kick the ball away and we didn't see the ball again against a very good Fijian side for the rest of the game.

Wales squad: Lee Williams (Carmarthen Quins), Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues), Rhodri Davies (Llandovery), Luke Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Will Harries (Ealing), Aled Jenkins (Ospreys), Steffan Jones (Newport Gwent Dragons), Lloyd Evans (Ospreys), Sion Bennett (Scarlets), Craig Price (Scarlets), Jason Harries (Carmarthen Quins), Jevon Groves (Cardiff Blues - Captain)

Mack back for Canada

New Canada sevens coach Liam Middleton has been able to recall some key players as he prepares for his first tour over the upcoming rounds of the HSBC Sevens World Series in Dubai and South Africa.

Phil Mack, Sean White and Admir Cejvanovic have all been called in, having missed the season opener on the Gold Coast in October. They take the places of Jake Webster, Jordan Wilson-Ross and Ciaran Hearn, the latter taking a well-earned breather after playing for Keiran Crowley's test side during November.
 
Experienced scrum half Mack was injured playing 15s against USA in Sacramento in June, and is particularly looking forwarding to making his return. 

“Obviously I’m really excited to get back on the field in Dubai and South Africa after having surgery and five months of rehab. I was disappointed not to be able to compete in Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games and on the Gold Coast. We’re looking to gain series points to climb the ladder and it starts with two strong tournaments before the [Christmas] break,” said Mack. 
 
Canada are still missing fellow playmaker Nathan Hirayama, while forward Nanyak Dala has also earned a rest following November test commitments.

The Middleton era begins

Dubai will be coach Liam Middleton's first tournament at the helm and he will be looking to build on a modest Shield victory in Australia, which followed narrow group defeats to USA, Argentina and England. In Dubai, his side will face Wales, South Africa and Portugal on day one.
 
Last season Canada finished a highest-ever sixth place in the HSBC Sevens World Series, and there is added incentive this season with the top four-ranked nations qualifying directly for the Olympic Games in 2016.

Canada squad: Admir Cejvanovic – (Burnaby Lake RFC/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC ; Justin Douglas – (Abbotsford RFC) Abbotsford, BC ; Sean Duke – (UVIC Vikes/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC ; Mike Fuailefau – (Castaway Wanderers/BC Bears) Victoria, BC ; Lucas Hammond – (Toronto Nomads/Ontario Blues) Toronto, ON ; Harry Jones – (Capilano RFC/BC Bears) North Vancouver, BC ; Phil Mack – (James Bay AA/BC Bears) Victoria, BC ; John Moonlight – Captain (James Bay AA/Ontario Blues) Pickering, ON ; Jack Smith – (James Bay AA/Ontario Blues) Lakefield, ON ; Conor Trainor – (UBCOB Ravens/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC ; Sean White – (James Bay AA/BC Bears) Victoria, BC ; Adam Zaruba – (Capilano RFC/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC