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All 16 nations set to compete in the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens have declared their final squads, with England coach Ben Ryan handing an HSBC Sevens World Series debut to young playmaker Christian Lewis-Pratt.

Lewis-Pratt is one of the players to have signed a new full-time Sevens contract with England this season. He was the country's top scorer in the FIRA European Grand Prix over the summer.

"It's awesome being here in Dubai and I arrived a couple of days early so I had a couple of days to enjoy the city. It's a great place to be and especially for us being the crowd favourites here the boys love it," said Lewis-Pratt.

Operating in the playmaker position for England, and as first choice kicker, comparisons will inevitably be drawn with the recently retired Sevens great Ben Gollings, although the player himself is keen to concentrate on his own game at what will be a whole new level.

"I played in the FIRA (European) Sevens in the summer, but I don't really know what to expect here.

"All of the boys say that you can't really compare it, so what I'm expecting is a really big step up and hopefully I can make that step."

Eight nations make squad changes

Lewis-Pratt is one of two changes for England, Simon Hunt also drafted into the squad for round 2 of the Series in Dubai.

Meanwhile other core teams also make changes, notably South Africa who call up Branco du Preez in the place of the injured IRB Sevens Player of the Year, Cecil Afrika. William Small-Smith also makes a first appearance of the season for the Boks.

In other changes, Argentina bring in Agustin Migliore; Australia give run-outs to Hamish Angus and Jesse Parahi; Fiji recall Pio Tuwai and Aminiasi Nava Kuruinovo; France add Steve Barry; New Zealand recall Ben Souness and

Scotland call up Mark Cairns.

The only squads unchanged from round 1 on the Gold Coast are Samoa, Kenya, USA and Wales.

Among the four qualifying teams, Portugal and Zimbabwe both name 12 players with World Series experience,

Canada name four new caps at this level and hosts UAE have nine players making their World Series debut.

Players chase career landmarks

Several players on show in Dubai are nearing career landmarks on the Sevens World Series.

One of England's heroes of last year in Dubai, Dan Norton, is currently on 49 tries alongside Wales flyer Ifan Evans.

Scotland's Andrew Turnbull sits on 96 tries, while his captain Colin Gregor is on 46, along with Samoan forward Simaika Mikaele and Puma Francisco Merello.

For Portugal Aderito Esteves and Goncalo Foro both have 47 tries to their name.