South Africa have joined pool & rivals Australia and Ireland in naming their squad for the women's competition at the RWC Sevens in Moscow.

Coach Denver Wannies is confident that he has named his best available squad, with only one player ruled out through injury in Nosiphiwo Goda. Wannies has set a target of a minimum top four finish, which would emulate the feats of four years ago in Dubai.

“We are not aiming for anything less than a semi-final berth, said Wannies. “But there is a sense of confidence in the team that they can win it, and that is fantastic to see. Our plan, however, is to take each match in our stride, make sure we do the basics right and execute our game plan well, and the rest should take care of itself.”

The squad features seven players who participated in the 2009 World Cup Dubai - captain Mandisa Williams, Natasha Hofmeester, Yolanda Meiring, Zenay Jordaan, Lorinda Brown, Phumeza Gadu and Nomathamsanqa Faleni.

For Williams and Meiring, in particular, selection marks significant milestones in what have been fantastic careers as they will both feature in their fourth World Cup across the Sevens and 15s game.
“Everyone has worked hard to reach this point, and what was particularly impressive was that some of the ladies chose to adapt to a new lifestyle in Port Elizabeth as part of our in-house programme to achieve this.” Wannies added.

South Africa: Lorinda Brown, Nomathamsanqa Faleni, Phumeza Gadu, Veroeshka Grain, Natasha Hofmeester, Zenay Jordaan, Benele Makwezela, Nomaphelo Mayongo, Yolanda Meiring, Fundiswa Plaatjie, Mathrin Simmers, Mandisa Williams 

Ireland look to continue successful year

Ireland women's Sevens coach Jon Skurr has match his Australian counterpart in Pool B in selecting his final squad for the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow on 28-30 June.

The Irish players selected have tasted plenty of success at international level this season. Jenny Murphy, Claire Molloy, Claire Molloy, Larissa Muldoon, Lynne Cantwell, Alison Miller, Shannon Houston, Amy Davis and Ashleigh Baxter all lifted the Six Nations trophy and since then they have also impressed on the Sevens stage, winning Plate titles in China, Brive and London and finishing fifth overall at the recent European Championships.

Injury has ruled out a number of players, most noticeably Niamh Briggs whose early forays in the Sevens game had been highly promising, but the Irish squad contains a number of highly experienced internationals. 

Ireland's most capped player Lynne Cantwell will be a key leader alongside captain Claire Molloy. 

Skurr said: "Along the way we have picked up some notable wins but this is the biggest test of all. It is really tough on those girls who have missed out, particularly through injury, but I know that the 12 we have selected will do their best to make everyone who has worked for this proud of them."

Ireland will line up against defending World champions Australia, China and South Africa in their pool. 

Ireland: Jenny Murphy, Claire Molloy, Sophie Spence, Jeanette Feighery, Larissa Muldoon  Lynne Cantwell, Alison Miller, Shannon Houston, Amy Davis, Ashleigh Baxter, Laura O'Mahony, Nicole Caughey

Australia name exciting squad

Australian Women’s Sevens coach Chris Lane has named his squad to defend the Rugby World Cup Sevens title in June.

The Australians, who beat New Zealand in sudden death extra time in 2009 in Dubai, face China, Ireland and South Africa in pool play at the tournament, which runs 29-30 June.
 
Winners of the first-ever Women's Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2009, Lane has selected a healthy mix of youth and experience, featuring members of Australia’s previous Sevens and Fifteens World Cup campaigns.
 
The side also features two members of the Australian Youth Olympic Festival Sevens team that won gold in Sydney earlier this year with Sharni Williams set to captain the side in Moscow.
 
Lane has also trusted the task of retaining the World Cup to a new generation of players, with Katrina Barker, Charlotte Caslick, Emilee Cherry, Nikki Etheridge, Tiana Penitani, Saofaiga Saemo and Amy Turner completing the squad.

Captain Sharni Williams was a member of Australia’s Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010 squad in the 15-a-side form of the Game and has three seasons of Sevens experience, while Rebecca Tavo is the only member of the squad to feature in Australia’s winning Rugby World Cup Sevens campaign in 2009.

Australia squad: Iliseva Batibasaga, Katrina Barker, Charlotte Caslick, Emilee Cherry, Nikki Etheridge, Shannon Parry, Tiana Penitani, Saofaiga Saemo, Shontelle Stowers, Rebecca Tavo, Amy Turner, Sharni Williams (captain)

China

Moscow will be a learning curve for China who are building their Sevens programme towards Rio in 2016.

China though do have a good pedigree in the game, having won the Bowl title at the last edition of the World Cup Sevens in 2009 in Dubai.

Having hosted a round of the World Series earlier this season, China are certainly committed to their women’s programme and making steady progress, already being the standout team in Asia.

China: Liu Yan, Fan Wenguan, Gong Guye, Ma Guoping, Liu Yang, Sun Tingting, Yao Jihan, Chen Ming, Li Yuanyuan, Zhao Xinqi, Tong Wueqin, Chen Keyi

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 final



The squads of China, Ireland and South Africa will be updated as soon as they are announced.