WALES are trying to form a dedicated sevens squad in a bid to haul themselves into the top six countries in the world.\

At the moment Wales lie about ninth or tenth, and they attempt to go higher when the world series comes to Newport tomorrow before moving on to the Millennium Stadium on Sunday.

Wales face Australia, one of the favourites, in their first pool match at Rodney Parade at midday, then they meet Canada at 4.10pm and Scotland at 7pm.

If they can win two of these matches they will reach the quarter-finals of the senior competition in Cardiff on Sunday.

Wales sevens manager John Ryan of Newport, the former national coach, said at a Press conference at the club yesterday that efforts were being made to form a dedicated sevens squad. Around 15 players would be offered contracts and their priority would be sevens, receiving specialist training through the season, though club commitments would also be considered. "Sevens has had a low profile in Wales since the Snelling Sevens finished," he said. "They have had a lower profile because the sport has gone professional and because of the demands of leagues. "The sevens series take place in our season rather than the off season Down Under, which makes it much more difficult to get players.

"We accept that sevens here are in the rebirth stage, but it is a good vehicle for development as opposed to the more confrontational approach of 15s. "Players develop running and handling skills and space awareness.

"The standard is amazingly high with all the teams having the skills and fitness, even sides like Georgia or Portugal give us a hard game, and they take it very seriously. They are very good.

"There are players in Spain, Portugal and even the West Indies who could do well in the leagues here."

Ryan said the purpose was to develop players to go on to full international level, and he pointed out that in the mid-90s players like Colin Charvis (when he was with London Welsh), Dafydd James and Martyn Williams, all current British Lions, came through the sevens system.

"We've had problems gaining access because of club and international commitments, but this will happen," he said.

Ryan stressed that getting into the quarter-finals of the senior competition was difficult because, as a new participant, Wales are unseeded, so always get paired with two seeds.

"But we have done it in Malaysia and Tokyo," he said. Wales coach Colin Hillman stressed, "We are aiming to get into the top two in our pool to get to the quarter-finals.

"Australia have taken sevens to another level. But we have taken them close twice and we'll give them a run for their money."