Dragons name 7s Squad

Newport Gwent Dragons have released their squad to face the other Welsh regions in the inaugural Premiership 7s tournament.

BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park will play host to the Premiership Sevens Tournament on Saturday 26^th July 2014 (KO 19:15).

Newport Gwent Dragons sevens squad will be coached by the talented Nick Wakely who has played sevens for Wales and is now coaching the Samurai 7s in the GB Series. The 33-year-old is also a former Newport, Pontypool and Ebbw Vale utility back.

The Dragons squad consists of four Dragons senior players, three Dragons Academy players, four Gwent premiership players and one unattached individual.

Experienced sevens player Rhys Jones has been named by Wakely to take part in the sevens tournament. The skilled kicker has played for Wales Sevens in the 2010 Commonwealth Games rugby sevens tournament and has gone on to become an integral part on the World Series circuit.

Young Dragons star James Benjamin has come up through the Dragons academy ranks. He most recently played for Wales U20s in New Zealand, and has played for premiership sides Bedwas and Crosskeys before making the move to the senior squad at the Dragons.

Newly signed to the Dragons, James Thomas captained Bedwas last season. The back row has a great attitude and work rate on and off the field and made a huge impact on Bedwas last season.

Dorian Jones is a competent kicker and currently plays for the men of Gwent. The talented fly-half has been thoroughly integrated in the Cross Key playing team as he took part in their Premiership title clash against Pontypridd. Cross Keys team mate Jonny Lewis has been picked to star in the sevens tournament. The 22-year-old is a versatile back having made 14 appearances for Cross Keys last season.

Bedwas RFC fullback Lewis Hudd also takes a place in the sevens squad. The 20-year-old from Abergavenny has made his way through the Dragons U18s and the academy. Hudd scored seven tries for Bedwas last season and also made appearances for fellow premiership side Cross Keys.

Newport RFC winger Elliott Frewen was the Principality Top Try Scorer last season with 11 tries from 25 games. The superbly fit athletic winger was part of the winning Men of Gwent sevens squad in 2011.

Highly skilled sevens specialist Sam Cross has been named in the Dragons squad. Cross has also been capped for Wales when he played against England at Bridgend’ Brewery Field. He just missed out on selection for this year’s Commonwealth games.

Dragons academy player Ollie Griffiths recently starred in the Wales U20s team as a flanker. The young gun is very good at the breakdown and has had some outstanding performances for premiership team Newport RFC.

Harri Keddie has also been named in the Dragons sevens squad. The talented number 8 has come up through the Dragons ranks by playing for the U16s, U18s and most recently Coleg Gwent. He is joined in the squad by fellow academy player Owen Davies. Similarly to Keddie the Newport born scrum-half has come up through the Dragons academy and has played for both the U16s and the U18s.

Newport Gwent Dragons have also snapped up experienced sevens player Ed Tellwright. The versatile winger has honours from English Students Sevens team and the Great Britain Student Sevens. He has also played for Sale Sharks and Rotherham Titans.

The men of Gwent have two reserves from the Dragons senior squad Matthew Pewtner and Scott Matthews. Winger Pewtner has extensive experience in the Wales Sevens squad, and is a great addition to the squad. The 23 year old has honours from Wales U16s and U20s and has also played in Dragons academy before stepping up into the senior squad. Flanker Scott Matthews recently made the move from Cross Keys to the Dragons, after he impressed in the Wales U20s trip to New Zealand.

The draw has given the Dragons back-to-back fixtures with their clash against the Ospreys taking place 10 minutes after their opener against the Scarlets. Their meeting with hosts Cardiff Blues will close the event.

Game 1 - Ospreys v Blues (7.15pm)

Game 2 - Dragons v Scarlets (7.40pm)

Game 3 - Dragons v Ospreys (8.10pm)

Game 4 - Blues v Scarlets (8.35pm)

Game 5 - Ospreys v Scarlets (9.05pm)

Game 6 - Dragons v Blues (9.30pm)

Go to cardiffblues.com or call 02920 302030 to buy your tickets now!!

Dragons Premiership Sevens Squad

James Benjamin – Dragons

James Thomas – Dragons

Rhys Jones – Dragons

Dorian Jones- Dragons/Crosskeys