Sydney University and NSW backrower Pat McCutcheon has been recalled to the Australian Sevens squad to contest the 2015-16 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
The 28-year-old McCutcheon was a national Sevens representative from 2007-10 when he won 10 World Series caps and was part of the squad that won a silver medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
The former Australian Schoolboy representative also has 37 Waratahs caps since making his Super Rugby debut against the Highlanders in 2010.
“It’s exciting to be back part of the Sevens program again,” the Narromine-bred McCutcheon said. “I already know blokes like Ed Jenkins and Greg Jeloudev (Sydney University team-mates) who have been here for a few years now.
“It’s been good to see how far the program has come over the past five or six years, from a semi-professional team to a professional environment. It’s exciting, it’s new for me.
“I need to catch up to the rest of the boys as they’re all in pretty good nick. They’re fast on their feet and quick with the ball in hand. I’ve probably got a bit of conditioning to get under my belt but hopefully I can bring an older head, a bit of a leadership and a calming effect.”
Australian Sevens coach Geraint John said McCutcheon would bring the experience of playing in the Sevens program a few years back as well as playing Super Rugby.
“He brings knowledge and leadership and it’s that leadership that we hope will get us to where we want to be,” the coach said. “He’s brought that to training already as well as a toughness and hardness.”
The 10-leg 2015-16 World Rugby Sevens Series kicks off in Dubai on December 4-5. The series then takes in Cape Town, South Africa (December 12-13), Wellington, New Zealand (January 30-31), Sydney (February 6-7), Las Vegas (March 4-6), Vancouver (March 12-13), Hong Kong (April 8-10), Singapore (16-17 April), Paris (May 14-15) and London 20-22 May.
