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New Canadian coach Morgan Williams has announced his Sevens squad for the next legs of the IRB Sevens World Series in Wellington (5-6 Feb) and Las Vegas (13-14 Feb)

The squad is a blend of returning veterans and new faces as the team prepares for their first appearance in this season’s Series.

Williams includes his core group of Phil Mack and Sean White, both of Victoria, Vancouver's Nathan Hirayama and Ciaran Hearn of Conception Bay, N.L. The experienced John Moonlight is another valuable addition to Williams’ new-look side.

Veteran Kris Witkowski of the Victoria Vikes and Chris Pack of Abbotsford, B.C. also make their return to the squad.

"Kris was at the (recent) trial so I am basing my decision on how he did there," explained Williams. " I'm basing it half on having seen him play (previously) and half on how he did at the trial.

"He is an old head (age 27) and because we can't get any professionals for these tours that I might have used, it is a great alternative."

Williams also includes plenty of youth, with 17-year-old Taylor Paris and Dustin Dobravsky, 18, of Cowichan, B.C. bought in.

Of his new selection of Dobravsky - Williams says the Shawnigan Lake player showed well at training camps held late last year - and now is the time to start working him and the other younger players into the program with an eye to the 2016 Olympics.

"(Dobravsky) was here for the trial and featured well," said Williams "I am leaving the doors open for all types and ages. I want to see what people have.

"These are the kind of guys we will be targeting for 2016 - I think it is better to bleed them at a younger age rather than trying to convert them to sevens at an older age," he said.

The Canadians warmed up for Wellington by participating at the inaugural International Sevens at the Suva Rugby Festival. Despite facing the best local Fijian sides, the Maple Leafs acquitted themselves by just losing out at the Cup quarter-finals stage.

Williams feels the likes of like Dobravsky, Paris and Styles have the speed to make an impact on the world stage but admits they will need time to develop.

"We have got guys like Sean Duke, Styles, Ciaran Hearn and Taylor Paris," he says in pointing out the team's current speed merchants.

"We just don't have those (pure) speed guys yet but that is why I brought in a guy like Taylor Paris who will get faster, but let’s teach him the game while he is doing it."

Canada face France, Argentina, and Samoa at the pool stages in New Zealand and head to Las Vegas the week after where they will meet Fiji, South Africa and hosts USA.

Click here to read UR7s' exclusive Morgan Williams feature

Canada Squad for Wellington and Las Vegas:

Dustin Dobravsky*, Sean Duke, Ciaran Hearn, Nathan Hirayama, Phil Mack, John Moonlight, Chris Pack, Taylor Paris*, Conor Trainor, Keaton Styles*, Sean White, Kris Witkowski.

* denotes new to sqaud.