McConnochie replaces Davis in Team GB Sevens squad

Alex Davis has been ruled out of the Rio Olympics following an injury to his right ankle and will be replaced in Team GB‘s sevens squad by Ruaridh McConnochie.
The 23-year-old sustained the injury during training, at the Team GB preparation camp in Belo Horizonte, ahead of the men’s rugby sevens competition commencing on 8 August in Deodoro.
McConnochie, one of two travelling reserves, will step into the 12-man-squad while England Sevens‘ Charlie Hayter will fly to Rio and provide replacement cover alongside Luke Treharne.
“It has been a tough year for Alex for a number of reasons and to have this set back is incredibly disappointing for him, said Team GB sevens Head Coach Simon Amor.
“He is a valued character within this close squad of players and also one of the most mentally resilient people I know. He will come back from this and I’m confident he will have a strong career for England Sevens and with Team GB at the Olympics in four years’ time.
“Since day one of coming together as GB Sevens this group has had to adapt and they have done so better than I thought possible. Ruaridh will become part of the competing 12 and the group will continue to pull together as the focus remains on delivering for Team GB in Rio.
Amor says McConnochie will “give everything” during the Games which sees Team GB play Kenya, Japan and New Zealand in the pool stages.
“It has been an amazing 12 months for Ruaridh who has played in all but one of the tournaments in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series this year,” added Amor. “He is here as a travelling reserve and can cover a number of positions. He is on excellent form and will take this in his stride and give it everything.
“Charlie will meet us in Rio and was unfortunate to miss out on the original selection.  He was coming back from injury at the start of the GB programme, which put him behind a couple of others in that position, but finished the preparation tournaments strongly and is primed to provide additional cover.”