NEWPORT Gwent Dragons Singha Premiership 7s winners Angus O’Brien and Luke Crocker have been named in the Wales squad for the opening rounds of the HSBC Sevens World Series in Dubai and Cape Town.

Dragons fly-half O’Brien and Ebbw Vale flanker Crocker helped the men from Rodney Parade lift silverware with a stunning victory against English opposition at the Twickenham Stoop in pre-season.

They have been rewarded with places in Gareth Williams’ 12-strong international squad along with in-form Cross Keys full-back/fly-half Ethan Davies.

Newport back row forward Sam Cross has been named as deputy to captain Luke Treharne for Dubai on December 4 and 5 and South Africa the following weekend.

“Luke (Crocker) and Ethan (Davies) have graduated through the intense summer programme and have trained well alongside the core group once given that opportunity,” said Williams.

“Ethan’s form in the Principality Premiership for Cross Keys has been fantastic and deserves a return to international competition following his time previously with the Under-20s.”

He continued: “Regional support has developed further and added a good level of competition to the training camp as well as exposing certain individuals to the environment in order to perform later in the season.

“Lloyd Evans and Kristian Phillips are selected from the Ospreys, Angus O’Brien from the Dragons, and Owen Jenkins returns to World Series competition from the Blues.”

Wales have been handed a tricky pool in Dubai in which they will lock horns with England, Australia and Kenya.

Wales 7s squad for Dubai/South Africa: Luke Treharne (Wales 7s), Sam Cross (Wales 7s), Ben Roach (Wales 7s), Lloyd Evans (Ospreys), Owen Jenkins (Blues), Luke Crocker (Ebbw Vale), Nicky Griffiths (Wales 7s), Angus O’Brien (Dragons), Ethan Davies (Cross Keys), Kristian Phillips (Ospreys), Jordan Williams (Scarlets), Chris Knight (Wales 7s)