USA Sevens coach Al Caravelli will cast his eyes over 22 players at a weeklong camp in Fort Lauderdale before naming his squad for the opening tournaments of the 2007/08 IRB Sevens World Series in Dubai and South Africa.

The players assemble in Florida on Saturday 17 November, and after eight days of intensive training Caravelli will cut the numbers to the final 12-man squad who will kick off the Series with the USA’s first visit to Dubai since 2000.

Among the players named in the training squad are several who were involved in Rugby World Cup 2007, including Todd Clever, Nese Malifa, Chris Wyles and Thretton Palama – the youngest ever player to grace the tournament at 19 years and eight days when he came off the bench against South Africa in the pool stages.

“We know that Dubai is always a competitive tournament as the teams are all vying to put their stamp at the beginning of the Series,” said Caravelli, whose side won the Plate at the Singapore Cricket Club Sevens last month.

“Last year there were several upsets and the weather was unpredictable. Every game we play on day one will be a major dogfight. We believe we have an excellent plan and the boys will be prepared to the best of their ability.”

Samoa, Wales and Kenya await the USA in Pool C at the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens from 30 November to 1 December. A week later at the South African tournament in George they will meet Fiji, France and Canada in Pool B.

USA training squad:
Erroll Allard, Andrae Bola Asuega, Mark Bokhoven, Justin Boyd, Todd Clever, James Gillenwater, Riaan Hamilton, Matt Hawkins, Justin Hundley, Nick Johnson, PJ Komongnan, Nese Malifa, Keiki Misipeka, Jone Naqica, Thretton Palamo, Milemoti Pulu, Sean Rafferty, Dallen Stanford, Garry Sullivan, Seremala Tavai, Clint Whittler, Chris Wyles.