RUGBY UNION: Sippy Downs flyer Emma Sykes will receive her fourth Australian cap at round four of the HSBC World Series Sevens in Japan next weekend.

The 18-year-old made her debut late last year, following Australia's emphatic gold medal win at Rio.

She is set to line-up alongside Caboolture's Evania Pelite, who was apart of the Olympic campaign.

Head coach Tim Walsh has re-called young guns Demi Hayes, Dominique Du Toit and Brooke Walker.

"We're just over halfway and we are looking forward to finishing the season strongly but also blooding some younger players and getting their experience up,” he said.

"We've made a few tactical changes to really bring up some other players in key positions and I'm looking forward to seeing those younger players putting up their hand. We are in a position now where we are really pushing for the title again. The pressure is now on New Zealand and all is takes is one slip up and we're in.

"We're just focusing on our job and I think the results will take care of themselves. The Women's Six Nations players coming back into Sevens will strengthen those European teams which will change the dynamic of the competition.”

Australia sits in second position, six points adrift of New Zealand.

Australia has Fiji, Ireland and Brazil in Pool B with matches kicking off on Saturday 22 April.

SQUAD

Shannon Parry (c), 20 caps, Hometown: Brisbane QLD

Mahalia Murphy, 6 caps, Hometown: Sydney NSW

Chloe Dalton, 13 caps, Hometown: Sydney NSW

Demi Hayes, 1 caps, Hometown: Mount Isa QLD

Georgina Friedrichs, 4 caps, Hometown: Harare Zimbabwe

Evania Pelite, 11 caps, Hometown: Caboolture QLD

Charlotte Caslick, 19 caps, Hometown: Brisbane QLD

Alicia Quirk, 19 caps, Hometown: Wagga Wagga NSW

Emma Sykes, 3 caps, (new) Hometown: Sydney NSW

Brooke Walker, 3 caps, Hometown: Sydney NSW

Emilee Cherry, 21 caps, Hometown: Roma QLD

Dominque Du Toit, 2 caps, Hometown: Marondera Zimbabwe

Ellia Green, 17 caps, Hometown: Melbourne VIC