When Wales arrive in Dubai in two weeks time to compete at the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens, they will carry with them the title of Rugby World Cup Sevens champions, and all that goes with it.
Having won the Melrose Cup in Dubai in March, the Welsh are sure to draw heightened attention from new-found fans, as well as their rivals on the pitch, but young coach Paul John is keen to keep a lid on expectations.
John was recently named Sports Council for Wales Coach of the Year and has been working with a virtually new group of players in preparation for the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series.
"Following our success at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai, a lot of our squad have gone on to secure new professional contracts in the 15-a-side game, which is a positive result of the win, and we have taken the opportunity to bring some new players into the squad, so it's a fresh start in lots of ways," said John.
The Welsh team has recently returned from France, where they played a training tournament against France, Scotland, and sides from Morocco and Argentina.
"We managed to pip Scotland in the final to win the tournament. That was the first time we've been able to play some rugby before the Sevens season kicks off, so it was great for us.
"It means the new players have some matches under their belt before we head to Dubai. We usually start the season slowly due to lack of playing and training time but hopefully that experience will help us this time around."
Building on a legacy
John now hopes that the current crop of young players, eight of whom are now centrally contracted, can build on the legacy left behind by the World Champions, and the coaching dedication of a close friend no longer with the team.
"We had a great group of players and coaches, and we are all indebted to the late Colin Hillman for his work as technical advisor. While his health didn't allow him to travel to tournaments with us, he would be the first to analyse training sessions and matches and he generally mentored us all throughout the season.
"I think our Rugby World Cup Sevens win has earned us respect from some of the other nations. New Zealand, for example, have asked for a training match against us. But we are a new team this season, so there shouldn't be too much expectation on our performances.
"We just want the players to play to their potential and the aim, as it was in the World Cup, will be to try and get out of the pool and go from there. That will be the aim throughout the season - to try and get into more Cup quarter finals and move up the IRB rankings.
Dubai a 'fantastic competition'
"It will be a steep learning curve for our squad and while they are a very talented group of boys, they may take a while to gel. But Dubai is a fantastic competition, there is a huge Welsh contingency in the crowd and I'm sure our players will grow through the tournament."
John himself played for and captained Pontypridd RFC, and earned 10 Wales caps. He took on the role of Wales Sevens coach in October 2008.
On being named 'Coach of the Year' and the 'High Performance Coach of the Year' at the Sports Council for Wales Awards, John was typically modest, but the Welsh Rugby Union's national coach development manager John Schropfer singled him out for praise, having nominated him for both.
"Paul's attributes make him an ideal role model for the young players aspiring to become professional players," Schropfer said.
"His empowering style of coaching has seen his charges develop considerably this last year.
"He is the first Welsh rugby coach who can say that he has won a World Cup. This was an incredible achievement."
Dubai Tickets!
Tickets for the Dubai tournament are still available at The Sevens ground on the Al Ain Road, Emirates headquarters, the Dnata Travel Centre on Sheikh Zayed Road and numerous Costa and MMI outlets as well as online through
www.dubairugby7s.com and by calling Ticketline on 8004669. They are also now available at Go Sport outlets and through Souq.com.
