England Men & Women squads named for 7s World Cup

England Sevens Head Coach Ben Ryan has today named his 12-man squad to compete in the Rugby World Cup Sevens next week in Moscow.
Rob Vickerman has been named as captain in a squad that include 11 players who were involved in England‘s encouraging third place finishes in the last two rounds of the HSBC World Series in Glasgow and London.
Vickerman and James Rodwell are the only two survivors from the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai in 2009 where England finished fifth after losing to Samoa in the quarter-finals.
England Sevens Player of the Year Dan Norton will try to add to the 52 tries he scored this season in the HSBC World Series.
England have been drawn against Portugal, Hong Kong and Argentina in the pool stages. On paper Ryan’s side will be favourites to progress through to the knock out rounds but Ryan knows it’s all about who turns up on the day.
Ryan said: “We are going to Russia to win the World Cup, not to make up the numbers, but at the same time we would be foolish to not concentrate on the present first.
“Only the winner of each pool goes through to the knock out stages so we know we have got to win all three games. Portugal, Argentina and Hong Kong are all good operators who are capable of big wins. We have studied them hard and although we have got a good record against them we know we have got to bring our A game.
“It’s been a difficult decision to whittle this squad down to just 12 – we have left some key players at home – but this is a squad I am really excited about.
“We’re heading to Moscow with some good momentum behind us after two third place finishes in Glasgow and London and then winning the first leg of the European Grand Prix in Lyon. That has given us some added confidence, coupled with some great preparation. The squad is looking sharp, very fit and ready for the challenge ahead.”
Earlier this week, IRB Sevens Player of the Year Michaela Staniford had been named to lead England Women in Russia by Barry Maddocks.
Staniford captains a very strong squad that includes seven players who featured in the 2009 RWC Sevens when England won the Plate.
The competition will also see the long awaited return of Worcester’s Danielle Waterman. One of England’s most experienced players in both the XVs and Sevens game, Waterman has fought her way back into world cup contention after a series of injuries this season.
England have been drawn in one of the toughest pools of the tournament where they will face Russia, France and Japan on day one. Russia were crowned European Sevens champions on Sunday, beating France, and taking England’s 2012 title.
Maddocks said: “I am really pleased with our squad, it is very strong, and I know on their day we can be up there fighting for World Cup glory. We have, however, got an extremely tough pool and that means we have to be on top of our game right from the start on day one. We cannot let anything slip. Playing the host union and form team of the moment is certainly a massive challenge, whilst France can beat anyone on their day. Japan too are a good footballing side.
“We have spent six months preparing for the RWC and we are now nearly there. We have prepared as much as we can and now it is a matter of delivering on two days of competition. And we are all really excited by that prospect.”
England Men: Tom Powell, James Rodwell, Mike Ellery, Rob Vickerman, Jeffrey Williams, John Brake, Mat Turner, Tom Mitchell, Christian Lewis-Pratt, Marcus Watson, Dan Norton, Mark Odejobi.
England Women: Joanne Watmore, Heather Fisher, Marlie Packer, Michaela Staniford, Rachael Burford, Natasha Hunt, Alice Richardson, Katy McLean, Emily Scarratt, Katherine Merchant, Claire Allan, Danielle Waterman.