Wales stars Rhys Patchell and Owen Williams will both make their playing comebacks in Southeast Asia after Cardiff Blues named a 16-man squad to compete in inaugural World Club 10s in Singapore.
The World Club 10s will be the first international sports event held at the new 55,000-seater National Stadium at the Singapore Sports Hub on Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22.
Blues, who jet out at the start of next week, are one of the tournament’s eight-team field and have been drawn in Pool B on the first day of the competition alongside the Brumbies, Asia Pacific Dragons – an invitational squad of players from throughout Asia and the Pacific Islands - and Petrarca Rugby.
Blues, who will be led by the coaching team of Dale McIntosh and Paul John in Singapore, have named a powerful squad as they look to launch pre-season in confident fashion.
Patchell and Owen Williams will both return from injury while Welsh international scrum half Lloyd Williams and back row Josh Navidi also feature.
Macauley Cook, Dan Fish and Ellis Jenkins, fresh from appearing in the Wales trial match, are also named while summer signing George Watkins could also make his debut.
Rising stars Aled Summerhill and Seb Davies also get a chance to shine in the tournament.
Paul John said: “We’re excited to take part in the inaugural World Club 10s in Singapore and come up against some of the biggest teams from Super Rugby and across the rugby world.
“The overseas trip will give the squad the chance to train in testing humid conditions and really push themselves in pre-season while experiencing a new culture and styles of rugby.
“It will also be fantastic to see the likes of Rhys (Patchell) and Owen (Williams) back involved and on the field in a Cardiff Blues jersey after injury layoffs.”
Full details of the tournament and reaction to the action in Singapore will appear on www.cardiffblues.com and can be followed on twitter @cardiff_blues
Cardiff Blues: Dan Fish, George Watkins, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Patchell, Aled Summerhill, Rhys Williams, Richard Smith, Chris Dicomidis, Macauley Cook, Ellis Jenkins, Josh Navidi, Lewis Jones, Simon Humberstone, Gareth Davies, Owen Williams, Seb Davies.