Jasmine Joyce and Hannah Jones and have been named Wales women co-captains for two European Sevens tournaments.
Both players were part of Wales’ Commonwealth Games squad last year and were key figures in this season’s Women’s Six Nations.
Olympian Joyce has also starred for the Barbarians in their recent fixtures against USA and England.
Now, she and Jones will lead Wales into the Rugby Europe Grand Prix Series tournaments starting with the Marcoussis Sevens in France this weekend (June 29 and 30) followed by the Kharkiv Sevens in Ukraine on July 20 and 21.
Bethan Lewis is the other member of the squad to have competed at the Commonwealth Games while Dyddgu Hywel, Alisha Butchers and Keira Bevan are experienced Sevens players.
Alex Callender played in Rugby Europe last season while this will be the first senior international tournament for the other six players.
WRU Community Director Geraint John, who has executive board level responsibility for women’s rugby, said: “The women and girls’ strategy is very clear. We want to grow the women’s game in Wales and we believe Sevens will help us to do that.
“Getting onto the World Series is a clear target for us as a Union and qualification for the World Series qualifier next April is by finishing in the top eight at the end of these two Rugby Europe tournaments, first in Paris this weekend and then in Ukraine next month.
“We expect the standard of rugby this weekend from all nations to be very high but the coaches and players have worked very hard and we know that we have the talent to do well if we play to the best of our ability.
“Jasmine and Hannah have really led by example throughout the programme on and off the field, driving standards and supporting other players.”
Co-captain Hannah Jones said” “We’ve prepared really well for these tournaments with squad and personal training programmes, preparation camps and events.
“Fitness is key in Sevens. We’re pleased where we are in that regard and we know we’re capable of finishing in the top eight if we perform well.
Wales’ opponents on Saturday are Belgium, France and Netherlands.
Wales Women Sevens squad for Marcoussis 7s (June 29, 30):
Keira Bevan, Alisha Butchers, Alex Callender, Gwen Crabb, Bethan Davies, Courtney Edwards, Lleucu George, Dyddgu Hywel, Hannah Jones (co-capt), Jasmine Joyce (co-capt), Bethan Lewis, Rebekah O’Loughlin, Lauren Smyth.
