RIVERINA pair Sharni Williams and Alicia Quirk will be off to Dubai next week with the Australian Women’s Sevens squad.
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Williams and Quirk were both named in the 12-woman squad for the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series opener in Dubai.
It is an important time for the squad with Australia set to compete in the 2016 Olympics at Rio next August.
Williams has again been named captain of the squad with the Batlow-born prop maintaining her record of playing in every leg of the Women’s World Series since its inception in 2012.
Quirk is also a regular and is one of eight squad members with at least 10 World Series caps to her name.
Australian coach Tim Walsh said it is an important period for the women’s team.
"It's round one of what is a big year for Women's Sevens and we're keen to get off to a strong start and stamp some authority on the series,” Walsh said.
"We've kept the core group together for a couple of seasons now, and this consistency of selection is resulting in improved team performances and individual growth."
Walsh expects Australia to perform strongly at Dubai.
"As a team, we always enjoy Dubai," he said.
"It's hot and fast - very similar to conditions in Australia. It's a real festival of Rugby, both Men and Women play there. There's an invitational tournament and 50,000 fans pack the stands.
"We go there with a belief we can perform and with the pre-season we have had we are confident we will perform. The results will then take care of themselves."
