Alex Gray in line for England Sevens debut in Dubai

Alex Gray is set to make his first appearance in the HSBC Sevens World Series after being named in the England squad for the Dubai tournament which starts on November 29.
The former London Irish No.8, 22, captained an England U20 side containing the likes of Owen Farrell, Christian Wade, Mako Vunipola and Joe Launchbury to the final of the 2011 Junior World Championship and moved from the Exiles after signing a full-time England Sevens contract last summer.
Gray is one of four changes in Head Coach Simon Amor’s 12-man group with powerful runner Jeff Williams, playmaker Sam Edgerley and former Saracens flyer Marcus Watson also called up.
England face Canada, the USA and also Fiji, coached by the familiar face of Ben Ryan, in Pool C on the opening day.
Amor’s side will be looking to continue the form that saw them finish third at last month’s Gold Coast Sevens, the first step on a nine-stage ladder. Furthermore Dubai holds good memories for the England squad having won back-to-back titles there in 2010 and 2011.
Chris Cracknell, one of the four players making way, captains The Royals development side which also includes contracted England players John Brake, Luke Fielden, Christian Lewis-Pratt, James Lightfoot-Brown and Ollie Marchon.
Amor said: “We’re still learning all the time, we’ve made progress over the last month and that’s reflected in the selection for places for Dubai.
“Competition has been fierce, which is exactly what you want as a coach to keep driving up standards, and this is an excellent opportunity for Alex Gray, Marcus Watson, Jeff Williams and Sam Edgerley to step up.
“We have more players from the full-time squad playing in The Royals in the international invitation event in Dubai and they have a chance to put their hands up for the third leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series in Port Elizabeth the following weekend.”
Meanwhile, new Women’s coach Simon Middleton has named his inaugural squad for the opening round of the IRB Womens World Sevens Series which also takes place in Dubai next week.
England, who finished second in last season’s inaugural tournament behind New Zealand, will be captained by Wasps’ Michaela Staniford. The squad also includes veterans of last year’s Women’s 7s World Cup, Richmond’s Claire Allan and Thurrock’s Rachael Burford.
While Megan Ellery won’t have to look far for advice as she joins brother Mike to the Middle East for her first taste of international rugby.
The women’s tournament also kicks off on November 28 and England, drawn in Pool B, will open their campaign against Tunisia, followed up by Spain and Russia.
England Sevens: Dan Bibby, Phil Burgess, Sam Edgerley, Mike Ellery, Alex Gray, Tom Mitchell, Dan Norton, Tom Powell, James Rodwell, Mathew Turner, Marcus Watson, Jeff Williams.
England Women Sevens: Claire Allan, Natasha Brennan, Rachael Burford, Abigail Chamberlain, Fiona Davidson, Megan Ellery, Sarah McKenna, Harriet Millar-Mills, Leanne Riley, Michaela Staniford (Capt.), Kay Wilson, Amy Wilson-Hardy.
ADAM ELLIS