Brothers flyer Jeral Skelton is in line to earn his second World Series cap, after being named in Andy Friend’s squad for next month’s Las Vegas Sevens tournament.

Friend has made three changes to the side that played in Hamilton with Skelton, captain Lewis Holland and veteran Jesse Parahi replacing Maurice Longbottom, Sam Myers and Sam Croke, who have all picked up injuries.

“It’s fantastic to have Lewis and Jesse back in the squad,” Friend said.

“They bring such a wealth of experience to the group which provides that added confidence to the team.

“As we saw in Cape Town for his debut, Jeral is a quality young player. I’m excited for him with his selection, and I know he’ll be out to prove his worth again.”

After their breakthrough tournament win in January’s Sydney 7s, Australia defeated New Zealand in the third place playoff to finish on the podium in Hamilton a week later.

Andy Friend’s side will play in back-to-back tournaments in Las Vegas and Vancouver, before returning home to begin preparations for April’s Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

“We’ve had two great events back-to-back, but the reality of that is those results only heighten other teams awareness of us, as well as their desire to knock us off,” Friend said.

“There’s some real momentum for us right now which is great heading into the Commonwealth Games, but we know that in Sevens, that can evaporate after just one poor day.

“We’ve got to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

SQUAD

Australian Men’s Sevens squad for the Las Vegas 7s

1. Charlie Taylor, 9 caps, Manly NSW

2. Tom Connor, 2 caps, Warringah NSW

3. Jeral Skelton, 1 cap, Brothers QLD

4. Lewis Holland, 34 caps, Queanbeyan

5. James Stannard, 45 caps, Souths QLD

6. John Porch, 12 caps, Norths NSW

7. Tim Anstee, 14 caps, Eastwood NSW

8. Jesse Parahi, 37 caps, Norths NSW

9. Dylan Pietsch, 6 caps, Randwick NSW

10. Ben O’Donnell, 4 caps, Randwick NSW

11. Tom Lucas, 21 caps, Sunnybank QLD

12. Lachie Anderson, 11 caps, Eastwood NSW

13th man. Brandon Quinn, 5 caps, Gordon NSW

FIXTURES

Las Vegas 7s fixtures

Saturday 3 March

Australia v Spain, 3.50am AEDT

Australia v USA, 6.51am AEDT

Sunday 4 March

Australia v Samoa, 12.26am AEDT