England Sevens have made two changes to their squad for the next two rounds of the HSBC Sevens World Series in New Zealand and USA.

Uncapped Oxford student Tom Mitchell wins his first call-up and fit-again John Brake returns for the tournaments in Wellington (February 3-4) and Las Vegas (February 10-12).

Midfield back Mitchell, 22, is a former England Students captain who scored the final try for Oxford in the 28-10 win against Cambridge in this season’s Nomura Varsity Match.

Half back Brake is back in action after recovering from the broken finger that ruled him out of the Dubai and South Africa events in December.

England are just four points off the top of the table behind Fiji, New Zealand and South Africa after the opening three rounds, which included their tournament win in Dubai.

Mitchell, from Cuckfield in West Sussex, does have international experience, having appeared for England Sevens in last summer’s FIRA-AER European Grand Prix Series.

“After the Varsity Match we wanted him to come in and measure himself against everyone else and he’s surprised himself and everyone else in the way he’s understood things,” said head coach Ben Ryan.

“He’s a bright bloke who can play in a number of positions. He’s very quick and has good game understanding and the fact that he’s forced his way into a squad that doesn’t have any injuries and has won a title this season shows that we’re in a position of strength.

“It’s good to be able to welcome back John Brake and we’re in good shape going to what’s been a happy hunting ground for us in recent years at Wellington.”

England claimed one of their greatest ever victories at the Westpac Stadium in 2009, when Isoa Damudamu’s try and a Ben Gollings conversion claimed a dramatic win against hosts New Zealand. They also reached the final there last season, losing to the kiwis.

The squad, which departs for New Zealand next Tuesday, includes nine of England’s 12 full-time contracted sevens players.

England Sevens: Greg Barden (captain), John Brake, Chris Cracknell, Isoa Damudamu (British Army), Christian Lewis-Pratt, Tom Mitchell (Oxford University), Dan Norton, Tom Powell, James Rodwell, Mathew Turner, Rob Vickerman, Marcus Watson (Saracens).

Video: England race to Dubai 2011 title