Cherry ruled out for Australia women

A training injury to stand-in captain Emilee Cherry has forced a change in Australia's line-up of players to compete in Houston at the second round of the IRB Women’s Sevens World Series.

The season's leading try-scorer, Cherry was due to lead the side in the absence of regular captain Rebecca Tavo, but has been ruled out as a precautionary measure. She will be replaced in the side by South Australia’s d’Arcy Sadler.

Sadler, who has trained with the squad in Canberra, made her debut for Australia at the Asia-Pacific Sevens in 2012.

The Qantas Women’s Sevens have been training at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra until Monday, when they depart for Houston ahead of the two-day tournament.

Australia finished in fourth place at round one in Dubai and line up against Russia, Brazil and Japan in pool play in Houston, which runs on 1-2 February.

Australia Women’s Sevens for Houston: Sharni Williams, Shontelle Stowers, Nikki Etheridge, Tricia Brown, Jess Palmer, Alex Sulusi, Ili Batibasaga, Amy Turner, d’Arcy Sadler, Gemma Etheridge, Cobie-Jane Morgan, Ellia Green (debut)

Video: Women's highlights - round 1, Dubai