England building team for future

Dubai: England may be arriving in Dubai with virtually a brand new squad of mainly unknown players, but Ben Ryan does not expect that state of affairs to last for long.

The coach believes that he has already identified men who can go on to become part of the next generation of 15-a-side stars with Dubai being a vital stopping off point on their route to the top.

He said: "I expect four players, at least, who are here in Dubai to play for England at senior level within a minimum of two years.

"You may not recognise the names right now or you may not have seen them on TV, but we already have a proven track record of producing players who go on to the top of the game.

"Argentina have received a lot of attention for the number of guys who started in sevens and were a part of their World Cup campaign, but we're right up there with them."

One man to keep an eye on as England attempt to follow up their Dubai victories of 2004 and 2005 is giant Bath winger Matt Banahan. He's red raw in terms of experience having only recently converted from playing hockey to rugby, initially appearing in the second row before being switched to the wing.

Main absentees

But at 2.01 metres and 110kgs and with a turn of speed that Ryan feels makes him quicker than many established international wingers, he should be easy to spot.

England, though, will clearly miss the presence of two quality performers in the shape of Simon Amor and Ben Gollings, who are now concentrating on 15s.

And the absence of the experience, poise and control they brought to England sides for many years means the side has adopted a new way of playing.

Ryan added: "We now have a far simpler framework, and the golden rule is that it is player-led and they have a chance to express themselves."

Lack of preparation time together is another explanation for the change. "We don't have the luxury of South Africa and centrally-contracted players," added Ryan, who has an extra reason to relish his first ever Dubai sevens after missing out on a trip 10 years ago.

"I was injured and could not make it," he said. "The boys who have been here before love it and say what a great start it is to the series."