Australia Women's Sevens coach Tim Walsh has called Piper Simons into the squad for the opening round of the 2024-25 SVNS world series in Dubai.
It comes after a back injury to Bridget Clark in the build-up to the event, ruling the NSW star out.
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Simons has risen through the ranks of the Sevens program and has played in Dubai the last two years with Australia A.
The Gordon product helped Australia to Youth Commonwealth Games gold in 2023 alongside teammate Heidi Dennis and World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year nominee Caitlyn Halse.
Most recently, Simons starred for NSW as they took out the Next Gen Sevens competition over Queensland.
The playmaker's inclusion ensures three new debutants on the world series, with Simon joined by Kahli Henwood and Kiiahla Berryman-Duff.
Henwood featured at the Olympics for Australia after an ACL injury to Kaitlin Shave, whilst Duff is another bright prospect who has made their name in the Australia A program.
Australia heads to Dubai as the defending SVNS champions, hoping to extend its stranglehold on the event.
Walsh's side have won the last four events at the Sevens Stadium, including back-to-back events in 2021.
New captain Bella Nasser is looking to keep the good times coming, drawn alongside Ireland, Fiji and newcomers China.
“We’re looking forward to getting back out there and we always love playing here in Dubai in the heat," she said.
"We have lots of new faces on the team and we are really looking forward to the debutants showing the world what they can do.
"We’re really looking forward to showing everyone what we’ve been working on.
