England stars start long road to Tokyo
ENGLAND 7s coach Simon Amor has finalised his squad for the new season which begins in Dubai on December 5-7, as the teams build towards the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
England players will be out to impress hoping to earn places in the team and go one better than their silver medal at Rio 2016.
“Looking to the season ahead, it's a big one with the Tokyo 2020 Olympics at the end,” Amor said.
“We have a number of players rehabbing injuries at the moment so our focus will be on getting our experienced and talented squad peaking at the end of a long season to not only earn selection for Team GB but give Team GB the best chance of becoming Olympic champions.” Tom Mitchell again leads the side, while all-time top tryscorer Dan Norton will be embracing his testimonial year within the England 7s set-up.
Amor's search for the next generation of England 7s stars sees opportunities handed to the young crop of Tom Emery, Ben Harris, Will Hendy, Alfie Johnson.
ENGLAND MEN'S 7S: Dan Bibby, Tom Bowen, Phil Burgess, Alex Davis, Richard De Carpentier, Will Edwards, Mike Ellery, Harry Glover, Ollie Lindsay-Hague, Charlton Kerr, Tom Mitchell (C), Will Muir, Dan Norton, Ethan Waddleton.
Academy: Tom Emery, Ben Harris, Will Hendy, Alfie Johnson.
England women's 7s head coach Charlie Hayter has included three newcomers in his first squad since he took the reins from James Bailey in the close season.
Saracens outside back Sydney Gregson, 23, followed up her try in the Premier 15s final with her June debut on the Sevens circuit in Biarritz and will now be a full-time member of the squad for 2019-20, along with Harlequins' Beth Wilcock and Jodie Ounsley, formerly of Loughborough Lightning.
Led by Abbie Brown, Hayter regards the season as one where experience will be hugely beneficial.
“More rounds and tournaments will give vital experience to this young group and taking sevens to new audiences will only help to grow the game at home and across the globe.
ENGLAND WOMEN 7S: Holly Aitchison, Abbie Brown (C), Abi Burton, Heather Fisher, Deborah Fleming, Sydney Gregson, Megan Jones, Ellie Kildunne, Alex Matthews, Jodie Ounsley, Celia Quansah, Helena Rowland, Emma Uren, Beth Wilcock, Amy Wilson Hardy
