Australia star Alicia Quirk has overcome a long-term knee injury and will return to the Olympic champions’ line-up in round two of the Sevens World Series in Dubai this week.

Quirk sustained the injury at the Sevens Rugby World Cup and will add valuable experience to a side featuring two debutants in Lily Dick and Sariah Paki.

Dick and Paki have come through the ranks of the Aon University Sevens Series with the University of Queensland and Macquarie University respectively.

Both players have represented Australia at youth level.

Australia goes into in Dubai in fifth place after one round and will face England, China and the United States in Pool B, starting Thursday night (AEDT).

“The team has been working really hard since the USA Sevens and we are looking forward to getting back out playing again,” Australia coach John Manenti said.

“Having Alicia back is a big boost for the squad, she’s a tireless worker on the field and will bring plenty of big tournament experience to our campaign.

“It’s great to be officially expanding our Aussie women’s sevens family with two new caps for Lily and Sariah.

“Both players have done really well in the last few months with exceptional performances across the Aon University Sevens Series as well as for our development side that won the Oceania Sevens Championship earlier this month.

“They’ll bring new energy to the squad for Dubai and they’re looking forward to their World Series debut.”

AUSTRALIA SQUAD
1. Samantha Treherne, Griffith University, 1 cap

2. Sharni Williams, University of Canberra, 25 caps

3. Sariah Paki*, Macquarie University

4. Dominique Du Toit, Macquarie University, 11 caps

5. Yasmin Meakes, Canberra University, 4 caps

6. Evania Pelite, University of Adelaide, 19 caps,

7. Charlotte Caslick, Bond University, 27 caps

8. Lily Dick*, University of Queensland

9. Emma Sykes, University of Tasmania, 11 caps

10. Alicia Quirk, University of New England, 24 caps

11. Page McGregor, Macquarie University, 4 caps

12. Ellia Green, University of Tasmania, 20 caps

*Uncapped

AUSTRALIA POOL GAMES
Thursday, November 29
Australia v England, 7.44pm AEDT

Australia v China, 10.40pm AEDT

Friday, November 30
Australia v United States, 1.59am AEDT