New England Patriots player Nate Ebner has been drafted into the United States squad for the Hong Kong Sevens after flying winger Carlin Isles was ruled out through injury, USA Rugby said in a statement Thursday.

Ebner, a member of the Patriots team which won the Super Bowl in 2015, was fast-tracked into the USA seven-a-side set-up earlier this year with a view to winning a place in the final squad for the Olympic Games in Rio.

The 27-year-old was not selected for the Hong Kong Sevens but traveled to the Chinese territory to take part in the Hong Kong Football Club's 10-a-side tournament with the Samurai International team.

USA rugby said Ebner was drafted into the final squad for the Hong Kong Sevens after Isles -- the former sprinter known as the fastest man in rugby -- was deemed "not 100 percent fit" to compete.

The Hong Kong Sevens kicks off on Friday, with the US Eagles facing Portugal, Argentina and Australia in the first round.
Source :AFP