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Australia will be the team to beat at this weekend’s ninth Roma Sevens after a strong finish to their IRB Sevens World Series season. The Australians finished third in the overall standings their best showings in eight years, winning the London Sevens and finishing runners-up in Edinburgh.

In coming third in the overall standings Australia’s achieved their best result since the 2000/1 season. Their success was all the more surprising considering many of their regulars from this season had been drafted into the IRB Junior World Championship.

But led by James Stannard with the likes Henry Vanderglas and Brackin Karauria-Henry also impressing the Australians finished the season the in-form side.

“I’m very proud of the boys, finishing third overall is sensational, I can’t believe it really, we had a goal to reach the top four this year and to come third is even better,” said Stannard.

“It’s been an incredible two weeks, to win in London and then to beat Fiji and New Zealand and reach the final in Edinburgh, even though we didn’t get the win, it is a great achievement by the boys.

Stannard also feels the Roma Sevens will give opportunities for players who haven’t featured much over last few weeks to stake a claim for selection to the Commonwealth Games. 

“The tour to Rome should be good. It is going to be a good chance for guys from some on the non-regular starters to get some game-time and put their hands up for the Commonwealth Games. We’ve heard it is fun place over there!”

Joining Australia will be a ‘Roma Seven’ side set to include New Zealand Sevens stars such as DJ Forbes, Tomasi Cama, Save Tokula and Sherwin Stowers.

National Sevens Series core team, the British Army, who get their first run-out of the year and will look to get into their stride ahead of RugbyRocks on June 12.

The White Hart Marauders are also preparing for the UK’s National Series and will also challenge for honours in Rome.

Fijian flair returns to the Stadio dei Marmi in the shape of Uprising Beach Resort who lost out in extra time in the last eight in 2009. South America is represented through Clandestinos Rosario, a selection of the best Argentine players from Italy, France, and England.

The Templars, finalists at last weekend’s Bournemouth Sevens, will participate alongside Mels Exiles. North America will once again be represented through the original USA invitational team, Atlantis.