League convert Mark McLinden has been selected to play for Australia's sevens rugby team in the final two legs of the IRB World Series in the United Kingdom.

McLinden will make his international sevens debut in London on May 23-24 before turning out again for Michael O'Connor's squad again the following weekend in Edinburgh.

The former Canberra Raiders playmaker has made an impressive transition into rugby, playing strongly for Queensland from fullback.

If the 29-year-old gets through the Reds' final round Super 14 match against the Hurricanes unscathed he'll return to England where he played league for four seasons with the London Broncos and Harlequins.

O'Connor has called in McLinden, fellow Reds back Ben Lucas and Brumbies forward Henry Vanderglas after losing many of his regular players to injury and representative duties.

Skipper Damon Murphy is out with a foot injury, Brian Sefanaia is nursing a hamstring strain and Jonathan Jenkins has a leg problem.

Richard Kingi, Dane Haylett-Petty and Afuspia Taumoepeau have been picked in the Australian Under 20 side for next month's IRB Junior World Championship in Japan.

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