The Black Ferns are the top seeds after triumphing on home soil in Hamilton last weekend, and will face England and Russia as well as invitational side Japan in Pool A at the Australian city's Bankwest Stadium.

They will welcome back Tenika Willison and Shiray Kaka, with Risaleaana Pouri-Lane and Mahina Paul - gold medallists at the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games - given a rest.

New Zealand could also give another highly-rated youngster a debut in Sydney, with Jazmin Hotham named as 13th player.

The two other pools feature two of the sides in the top five in the standings at the halfway point of the 2020 Women’s Sevens Series.

Canada, the runners-up in Hamilton, will meet the United States - the team they beat to win the Sydney title in 2017 - as well as the much-improved Fiji and Brazil in Pool B.

France, fresh from winning their first-ever bronze medal in Women’s Sevens Series history in Hamilton, will go up against hosts Australia, the Sydney 2018 champions, as well as Spain and Ireland in Pool C.

Australia’s win two years ago was their last success in the Women's Sevens Series.

The reigning Olympic champions were runners-up to New Zealand in Sydney in 2019.

Every try scored by Sharni Williams' Australian team this weekend will see AUD$1,500 (£764/$1,000/€908) donated to the Red Cross appeal to support the bushfires relief effort.

Rugby Australia and World Rugby are among those each pledging AUD$500 (£255/$335/€303).

Pool-stage action is due to begin tomorrow, with teams playing two matches each.

It will then conclude on Sunday (February 2), with only the pool winners and best runner-up progressing directly to the semi-finals.

The others will contest the playoffs for places fifth to 12th.