Ryan names four France based players for Paris 7s

Vodafone Fiji 7s coach Ben Ryan has named his final 12 players for the Paris 7s, making sure that all the Europe based players get as much game time as they can get and see that he has a balanced side to defend the World Sevens Series title.

Josua Tuisova and Samisoni Viriviri will be given a chance to try out at rover and wing while Leone Nakarawa and Waisea Nayacalevu will add more depth in the forwards.

Former All Blacks player, Karl Te Nana said Fiji will bounce back from their loss in the final of the Singapore 7s.

Karl Te Nana said it will be interesting to see how things turn out. 

He said the question is how the other teams can match Fiji's intensity.

Meanwhile Apisai Domolailai, Jasa Veremalua, Isake Katonibau, Amenoni Nasilasila, Osea Kolinisau, Jerry Tuwai, Kitione Taliga and Vatemo Ravouvou are the other players named in the team this morning.

Ryan has left out Semi "The Beast" Kunatani but has named the other four Europe based players - Leone Nakarawa, Waisea Nayacalevu, Josua Tuisova and Samisoni Viriviri.

Pio Tuwai, Masivesi Dakuwaqa and Viliame Mata have been left out to allow the France based players to prove themselves before the Olympic selection.

Ryan said they need to stay in the finals for both tournaments to defend the Series title.

Meanwhile New Zealand has named an experienced side with Sir Gordon Tietjens picking long serving playmaker Kurt Baker to be his captain.

Tietjens said it will be interesting to see how the Ioane brothers integrate back into the team, especially after their performance in Wellington and Sydney.

South Africa has only won one tournament so far but is only eight points behind Fiji.

South African coach Neil Powell says for them it is about getting onto the scoreboard early and keeping the pressure on the big games.

He added that the return of Rosco Speckman will add a bit more pace to their attack.

Fiji is leading the World Sevens Series standing with 147 points, South Africa is second with 139 points while New Zealand is in third place with 135 points.

Fiji will take on Scotland in their first pool match of the Paris 7s at 5.44 tomorrow morning.

We take on Wales at 9.14pm tomorrow and our last pool match is against Samoa at 12.47am Sunday.

The Paris 7s Cup quarters will start at 9.13pm Sunday, the Cup semis will start at 1.03am next Monday while the Cup Final will kick off at 4.15am next Monday.