Coach Gareth Baber is confident the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team will defend the London 7s in Twickenham next weekend.

Yesterday he named a strong squad for the London-Paris leg of the World Sevens Series.

Baber said the men were prepared and ready for the battle as he maintained his core playing group from the past two tournaments.

Playmaker Waisea Nacuqu returns after recovering from a collarbone fracture sustained in Las Vegas.

He replaces Teri Tamani. Also omitted from the squad are former captain Kalione Nasoko and Mesulame Kunavula.

“I believe the players named in the squad are ready to deliver at the London 7s next weekend,” he said.

The team will be led by Paula Dranisinukula while Livai Ikanikoda and Napolioni Ratu have been given the nod again after solid performances in the Hong Kong and Singapore 7s last month.

The Fiji Airways Fijian 7s are second on the World Sevens Series standings with 142 points, three points behind current leaders USA.

The team depart for London tomorrow without Baber who is suffering from a bacterial infection. He is expected to join the team in London on Friday.

Fiji face Kenya in its first pool match at 9.36pm (Fiji time) on Saturday May 25, France at 12.42am (Fiji time) on Sunday May 26 and Samoa at 3.48am (Fiji time).

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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