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England want more from Gollings

Ben Gollings, who has scored more points in IRB Sevens World Series history than any other player, will be a key performer as England bid to bounce back from their semifinal heartache in the last two Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens.

  • By Steve Hill, Special to Gulf News
  • Published: 23:15 November 25, 2008
  • Gulf News

Dubai: Ben Gollings, who has scored more points in IRB Sevens World Series history than any other player, will be a key performer as England bid to bounce back from their semifinal heartache in the last two Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens.

The 28-year-old playmaker will this week be aiming to add to his remarkable individual total of 1,782 points, which is over 400 points more than his nearest rival Waisale Serevi, who is now coaching his native Fiji.

Gollings, who is third on the all-time list of try scorers with 158 touchdowns to his credit, is by far the most experienced campaigner in an England squad that won in Dubai in 2004 and 2005 but which disappointed last season by finishing a distant fifth in the overall world series standings.

Tom Biggs, Ollie Phillips, Uche Odouza and Kevin Barrett also return to the England line-up while there are debuts for Greg Barden, of Bristol, and Josua Drauniniu from Exeter.

South Africa, the Dubai champions in 2003 and 2006 and the team most likely to challenge New Zealand's No 1 status, are without captain Neil Powell for the opening leg of the IRB Series and their home tournament in George the following week.

Arm injury

The forward suffered another arm injury and is not expected to be available for selection until the Adelaide Sevens in April.

Argentina, meanwhile, once again call on the services of sevens record try scorer Santiago Gomez Cora as they bid to improve on last season's sixth place finish in the world series.

Gomez Cora has scored 197 tries, 24 more than nearest rival Fabian Juries who missed out on a place in South Africa's 24-man squad for a training camp in Stellenbosch. The Argentina squad also features Gomez Cora's brother Pablo, and one debutant in Leonardo Senatore.

Experience will also be key for the United States who name stalwarts such as Todd Clever and Chris Wylves in a squad that could spring a surprise or two in Dubai.

England squad: Greg Barden (Bristol /Royal Navy), Kevin Barrett (Exeter), Tom Biggs (Leeds), Chris Cracknell (Exeter), Isoa Damudamu (Army), Josua Drauniniu (Exeter /Royal Navy), Ben Gollings (Gold Coast, Australia), Uche Odouza (Suntory), Ollie Phillips (Newcastle), James Rodwell (Moseley), Rob Vickerman (Leeds), Micky Young (Newcastle).

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