Australia Sevens coaches Liam Barry and Tim Walsh have named their squads for the opening round of the 2025/2026 HSBC SVNS series in Dubai on November 29-30.
The Men’s side will blood three debutants for the start of the series while Australia’s Women have named a strong squad as they chase a sixth-straight title in Dubai.
Former NSW Waratahs centre Harry Wilson and Queenslanders Will Cartwright and Ethan McFarland will make their Australian Sevens debuts after impressing in the off-season.
Born in Queensland before moving to Sydney, Wilson will join his brother Teddy Wilson in pulling on the gold jersey for the Sevens team, with Teddy previously playing in Singapore in 2024.
Cartwright and McFarland joined the Men’s squad after excelling in Queensland’s premier rugby competitions.
Their inclusions also come following injuries to co-captain Henry Paterson, Michael Icely and James Turner in the pre-season.
Paterson will miss the 2025/2026 series after suffering an ACL injury at training earlier this month while Icely (shoulder) and Turner (foot) will miss the first four rounds.
Dietrich Roache returns to the world stage after missing last season with a knee injury and Barry has included promising talent Wallace Charlie after he made his debut in the Los Angeles final in May.
Australia Sevens Men’s coach Liam Barry said: “We are looking forward to the 2025/2026 season and have a new-look squad with three debutants in Dubai.
“It’s very exciting for Ethan, Will and Harry as they look to represent Australia and their families.
“Unfortunately we have lost quality players Henry Paterson, James Turner and Michael Icely to injury and they were unavailable for selection.
“But in turn this provides others an opportunity to play on the world stage.”
Australia’s Women will go into their campaign with a settled squad and boosted by depth created in previous seasons due to injuries.
Co-captain Madison Ashby and Kaitlin Shave will play their first world series events in over 12 months after returning to the field from knee injuries.
Tia Hinds returns to the team after featuring for the Wallaroos at the World Cup in September while the likes of Maddison and Teagan Levi, Faith Nathan and captain Isabella Nasser spearhead the side.
Charlotte Caslick will miss the Dubai and Cape Town events due to personal reasons while Demi Kennewell (knee) and Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea (shoulder) are on track to return in March.
Australia Women’s Sevens coach Tim Walsh said: “We have enjoyed a strong pre-season jam packed with rugby and off field growth.
“Unlike last season we approach round one in Dubai with a fit, strong and mostly available squad, making selections a real pleasure.
“Every training session has been about winning the drill and delivering healthy competition to better each other.
“The anticipated return of Kaitlin Shave and co-captain Madison Ashby after being sidelined last season really adds a little spark to the team’s mindset.
“This season plays a crucial role in achieving our strategic objectives for the short, medium and long-term horizons.”
The Aussie Sevens Women will start their 2026 campaign with pool matches against Japan, Canada and Great Britain.
The side are reigning five-time champions in Dubai, having beaten New Zealand 28-24 in the final last season.
The Aussie Men will play Spain in the season opener before meeting New Zealand and Great Britain.
2. Amahli Hala – 2 events
3. Faith Nathan – 32 events
4. Mackenzie Davis – 6 events
5. Teagan Levi – 25 events
6. Madison Ashby (c) – 25 events
8. Kaitlin Shave – 8 events
9. Tia Hinds – 20 events
10. Isabella Nasser (c) – 17 events
12. Maddison Levi – 26 events
13. Heidi Dennis – 6 events
22. Bienne Terita – 16 events
23. Ruby Nicholas – 10 events
65. Sariah Paki – 36 events
1. Henry Hutchison (c) – 59 events
2. Ben Dowling – 21 events
3. James McGregor – 2 events
4. Dietrich Roache – 28 events
7. Josh Turner – 37 events
9. Will Cartwright - debut
10. Ben Dalton – 9 events
11. Maurice Longbottom – 48 events
13. Jayden Blake – 6 events
23. Aden Ekanayake – 7 events
24. Ethan McFarland – debut
33. Harry Wilson – debut
77. Wallace Charlie – 1 event
Players unavailable for selection
- Charlotte Caslick (personal reasons)
- Demi Kennewell (knee) – Vancouver 7s
- Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea (shoulder) – Vancouver 7s
- Michael Icely (shoulder) – Vancouver 7s
- Henry Paterson (knee) – 2026/2027 season
- James Turner (foot) – Vancouver 7s
DUBAI FIXTURES - HSBC SVNS World Series 2025/2026
AUSTRALIA WOMEN
- Saturday, November 29: Australia v Japan (6:42pm AEDT)
- Saturday, November 29: Australia v Canada (10:05pm AEDT)
- Sunday, November 30: Australia v Great Britain (1:11am AEDT)
AUSTRALIA MEN
- Saturday, November 29: Australia v Spain (7:48pm AEDT)
- Saturday, November 29: Australia v New Zealand (10:54pm AEDT)
- Sunday, November 30: Australia v Great Britain (2:50am AEDT)
HSBC SVNS World Series 2025/2026
- Dubai (29-30 November, 2025)
- Cape Town (6-7 December, 2025)
- Singapore (31 January-1 February, 2026)
- Perth (7-8 February, 2026)
- Vancouver (7-8 March, 2026)
- New York (14-15 March, 2026)
HSBC SVNS World Championship 2025/2026
- Hong Kong (17-19 April, 2026)
- Valladolid (29-31 May, 2026)
- Bordeaux (5-7 June, 2026)
