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Czekaj gets Wales Sevens call-up

Chris Czekaj
Chris Czekaj suffered his injury on Wales' 2007 tour to Australia

Cardiff Blues wing Chris Czekaj is set to return to the international fold for the first time since suffering a serious leg injury two years ago.

His right femur was shattered in five places during Wales' second Test defeat by Australia in Brisbane in June 2007.

Czekaj, 23, returned to domestic action this season but has now been rewarded by a call from Wales Sevens.

He will join the squad in San Diego after the Wellington leg of the IRB Sevens World Series next weekend.

Czekaj returned to action in a pre-season friendly last August, but has figured just a handful of times for the Blues in competitive games so far this season.

The form of the likes of Leigh Halfpenny, Richard Mustoe and Tom James has seen Czekaj have to settle for a regular role with Cardiff RFC.

606: DEBATE

Wales Sevens head coach Paul John has named 10 players who will travel to both Wellington and San Diego.

Three other experienced Sevens players, Aled Thomas (London Welsh), Dafydd Hewitt (Blues) and Aled Brew (Blues) will add some extra nous to the squad for the New Zealand tournament.

They will then return home to be replaced by Czekaj and Dragons wing Jimmy Norris for the American competition.

Scarlets back-row Josh Turnbull will travel to New Zealand as a reserve and be a full member of the 12-man squad that heads to California.

Neath's Lee Beach will captain the side, while Turnbull and Ospreys scrum-half Rhys Webb will make their Sevens debuts.

John said: "While we performed well at times in Dubai and George, experience is vital at this level and we are hoping to use these tournaments to gain some form and confidence ahead of the Rugby World Cup Sevens in March.

"We have a tough pool in Wellington with Australia and New Zealand two of our Day One opponents, and we particularly want to improve on our disappointing displays against Australia in Dubai and George."


Wales Sevens squad for Wellington and San Diego:

Forwards: Lee Beach (capt, Neath), Josh Turnbull (Scarlets), Craig Hill (Newport), James Merriman (Neath), Dafydd Hewitt (Blues, Wellington only), Chris Davies (Aberavon).

Backs: Lee Williams (Scarlets), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Aled Thomas (London Welsh, Wellington only), Tal Selley (Dragons), Rhodri McAtee (Cornish Pirates), Tom Isaacs (Dragons), Aled Brew (Blues, Wellington only), Chris Czekaj (Blues, San Diego only), Jimmy Norris (Dragons, San Diego only).

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see also
Czekaj completes rehabilitation
15 Aug 08 |  Cardiff Blues


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