Aussie women's superstar Charlotte Caslick is set to make her long-awaited return to the Sevens circuit in the Kitakyushu Sevens.
Caslick has been out of action for four months with a hand injury but has been cleared for a comeback in the Japan tournament.
The scrumhalf's return is a welcome boost for the side after an injury-riddled start to their campaign.
Coach John Manenti said Caslick would be an invaluable addition to the squad.
“Welcoming Charlotte back into the fold is exciting for the group. We know what Charlotte can do to defences with ball in hand and her work rate in attack is phenomenal," he said.
Mahalia Murphy has also earned her first cap in more than a year with inclusion in this squad.
Murphy has been on the fringes of the squad since her most recent cap in Dubai in 2017 but has been training alongside the team and her performances earned her a return.
"Mahalia has been working very hard on her athleticism and has forced her way in on the back of consistent performances and an excellent training attitude," Manenti said.
Australia's women currently sit fourth in the World Series standings after three tournaments and need to stay in that top four to guarantee automatic Olympic selection.
The Aussies haven't played since the February Sydney 7s but Manenti said it had given them a chance to focus on improvement for the Japanese tournament.
“It’s been a long time since the HSBC Sydney 7s and the squad have had the best training block we’ve on the past twelve months," he said.
“On the back of that, this was the hardest squad I’ve had to select and gives us great confidence going into the tournament."
The Aussies are still missing Demi Hayes, Dom du Toit and Shannon Parry with injury.
Australia takes on China, Spain and Canada in their pool matches in Kitakyushu.
The Kitakyushu Sevens kicks off on Saturday April 20.
SQUAD
Australian women's Sevens for Kitakyushu
1. Samantha Treherne, 14 caps, Griffith University
2. Sharni Williams (c), 31 caps, University of Canberra
3. Sariah Paki, 2 caps, Macquarie University
4. Yasmin Meakes, 6 caps, University of Canberra
5. Emma Tonegato, 25 caps, University of Adelaide
6. Evania Pelite, 24 caps, University of Adelaide
7. Charlotte Caslick (c), 28 caps, Bond University,
8. Lily Dick, 2 caps, University of Queensland
9. Emma Sykes, 14 caps, University of Tasmania
10. Alicia Quirk, 29 caps, University of New England
11. Mahalia Murphy, 8 caps, University of Adelaide
12. Ellia Green, 25 caps
13th Lauren Brown
FIXTURES
Saturday April 20
Australia vs China, 12:36pm AEST
Australia vs Spain, 3:20pm AEST
Australia vs Canada, 6:04pm AEST
