A YOUNG athlete with Stanthorpe connections will make his HSBC Sevens World Rugby debut in the first match of the 2016-17 HSBC Sevens World Series in Dubai on Friday.

Sam Caslick, whose sister Charlotte was recently named World Rugby Women's Sevens Player of the Year, will play as part of a new-look side in Dubai under head coach Andy Friend.

Caslick made his national team debut earlier this month at the Ocean 7s in Fiji.

He will be joined by Michael Adams, Simon Kennewell, Charlie Taylor and Tim Anstee in representing Australia for the first time on the World Series.

"This is an exciting period for this young group of guys after an intense pre-season,” Friend said.

"We learnt a lot from the Oceania 7s tournament and this group is showing real potential with a lot of young players really putting their hand up for future opportunities.

"Lewis taking up the reins as coach for the first time is a unique opportunity for him but is a testament to his leadership... and it will also give us another opportunity to view players in tournament conditions.”

Along with Caslick, the Qantas Australian Men's Sevens team for Dubai includes Sam Myers, Edward Jenkins, Michael Adams, Tim Anstree, Boyd Killingworth, Alex Gibbon, Simon Kennewell, Patrick McCutcheon, Henry Hutchison, James Stannard, Charlie Taylor and Connor Mitchell.

The Australian team is set to compete against Japan and France on Friday and Kenya on Saturday.

Caslick has family on the Granite Belt.