Australian Sevens coach Geraint John has added Waratah Pat McCutcheon and Australian Schoolboy Henry Hutchison to his squad ahead of the 2015-16 World Rugby Sevens Series.

28-year-old McCutcheon spent three seasons in the program between 2007 and 2010, before earning 37 Super Rugby caps for the Waratahs, whilst 18-year-old Hutchison joins the program on the back of a strong Shute Shield season with Randwick.

“It’s exciting to be back part of the Sevens program again – I already know blokes like James Stannard and Ed Jenkins who have been here for a few years now,” Narromine product McCutcheon said.

“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,” he added.

Despite training full time with the Waratahs since 2010, McCutcheon said he expected a tough few months of training ahead of the upcoming season.

“First of all, 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.”

Hutchison will lead the Australian Boys Sevens side at the Youth Commonwealth Games in Samoa next month, before joining the senior squad.

“I’m hoping I can bring a bit of speed to the group. As well as training with the national Sevens program, I have an important tournament for both myself and the team in Samoa next month,” he said.

In a further boost for the Australian Sevens program, John also announced that Nick Malouf has agreed a new two-year contract with Con Foley also extending his deal for another 12 months until the end of 2016.