Dubai: England Sevens Coach Ben Ryan yesterday announced his 12-man squad who will represent England at the forthcoming IRB World Seven Series tournament in Dubai.
According to Ryan, the squad is a combination of young talent and experience with lots of potential. Players such as Sale Sharks' Andy Vilk and Ben Foden and powerful Gloucester centre Jack Adams are all experienced sevens players. For Andy this will be his third appearance at the Dubai tournament and his first as captain.
First caps
Young emerging talent, Matt Banahan, Antony Elliott, Tom Youngs, Joe Simpson and Liam Gibson will be keen to show off their skills and earn their first England caps.
With players like David Strettle, James Haskell and Nick Abendanon now holding England senior honours after being noticed in last season's tournament, it's a very exciting time for this squad, if these young players can perform and impress they have every chance of following in their predecessors' footsteps.
Ben Ryan said: "This season's squad will start as underdogs against the top four sides in the world series. New and unproven, the squad has players with immense potential to move through into the very top of the senior game.
"It's time now for these players who have been identified as having this to step up and put potential into actual. It's a hugely exciting time."
Squad
Jack Adams (Gloucester Rugby), Matthew Banahan (Bath Rugby), John Brake (Northampton Saints), Isoa Damudamu (Newbury Blues), Antony Elliot (Newcastle Falcons), Ben Foden (Sale Sharks), Liam Gibson (Plymouth Albion), Tom Guest (Harlequins), Simon Hunt (Ebbw Vale), Joe Simpson (London Wasps), Andy Vilk, Captain (Sale Sharks), Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers).
