Australian Sevens star Tom Lucas is set to return from a shoulder injury at the Hottest Sevens, among a relatively inexperienced squad.
Coach Andy Friend has named Lucas and Jesse Parahi as the two big guns for the tournament in Darwin this weekend.
It will be the final chance to impress for the fringe players among the squad, with the Sydney Sevens kicking off Friday week.
"It’s a great opportunity for the lads to go out and impress as there’s a couple of positions still up for grabs for the Sydney7s squad," Friend said.
"This is the start of big three week stint for us with Sydney next week and the World Series event in Hamilton the week after.
"The Darwin Sevens is one of the toughest non-World Series events of the year so it’s a perfect way to start 2018 and then lead-in to Sydney and the rest of the series."
The Hottest Sevens will feature eight women's teams and 32 men's teams from throughout Australia and around the world.
The Hottest Sevens kick off on Saturday, January 20. For more information, click here.
SQUAD
Australian Men's Sevens side for the Hottest Sevens
1. Charlie Taylor
2. Sam Croke
3. Dylan Pietsch
4. Jeral Skelton
5. Emori Waqa
6. Henry Clunies-Ross
7. Brandon Quinn
8. Jesse Parahi (c)
9. Matthew Hood
10. Tom Lucas
11. Veresa Mataitini
12. Nicky Price
