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Australian Rugby Sevens coach Michael O’Connor has named 10 rookies in his 18-man squad to compete in the IRB Sevens World Series which kicks off in Dubai on December 4.

Fresh talent has been injected into the Sevens programme this year with the likes of fullback Zack Holmes, utility back Edward Quirk and playmaker Jacob Taylor set to make their debuts at the tournament.

Quirk is the youngest member of the Australian squad at 18; he was snapped up by the Queensland Reds Academy after showcasing his talent in 2008 while representing Queensland and Australia as a Schoolboy.

But they were all part of the Aussie Spirit squad who participated at the Gold Coast International Sevens in November, where they were beaten by Uprising Beach Resort in the semi finals, and will be joined by Series regulars Brian Sefanaia, James Stannard and captain Patrick McCutcheon.

These rookies will be well aware of what is at stake too with the likes of Luke Morahan and Richard Kingi called into the Wallabies squad on their current Northern-Hempishere tour.

Morahan was called up last week, and New Zealand born Kingi, who showed his talents in the Sevens format of the game last season and then at the Junior World Championship in Tokyo, was the Tour bolter in Robbie Deans’ squad.

International star James O’Connor also cut his teeth in the shortened version of the game and provides inspiration for all of his namesakes squad this year.

Following Morahan’s call up last week, he became the ninth member of the current Australian squad to have successfully made their way into the Wallabies fold through the Sevens programme and follows in the footsteps of Matt Giteau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Hynes, Drew Mitchell, Richard Brown and Matt Hodgson who also made their names in Sevens before appearing for the Wallabies.

And with newly-awarded Olympic status, this season will provide an even bigger breeding ground for all of those involved. amplify the carnival and colour of IRB’s eight-leg tournament as spectators are treated to a feast of fast and flamboyant Rugby involving 16 countries and over 200 of the world’s best players.

Australian Sevens 18-man Squad for the IRB Sevens World Series: Willie Bishop, Robbie Coleman, Mitchell Felseman, Bernard Foley, Shaun Foley, Liam Gills, Talalelei Gray, Zack Holmes, Ed Jenkins, Brackin Karauria-Henry, Patrick McCutcheon (captain), Edward Quirk, Brian Sefanaia, Dominic Shipperley, Clinton Sills, Kimami Situati, James Stannard, Jacob Taylor.

Sevens Team for Dubai: Robbie Coleman, Bernard Foley, Shaun Foley, Talalelei Gray, Zack Holmes, Brackin Karauria-Henry, Patrick McCutcheon (captain), Edward Quirk, Brian Sefanaia, Clinton Sills, James Stannard, Jacob Taylor.