Second-string England squad to play in Dubai-7s

Following the refusal of the 12 Premiership rugby clubs in England to release a player each, as had been previously agreed, England's campaign in the Rugby Sevens circuit has come under a cloud.

The English team arrived in Dubai last night on their way to South Africa which will host the opening round of the International Rugby Boards World 7's series.

The tournament will be staged in Durban followed by the Dubai Rugby Sevens from November 22-24. The English squad leave Dubai for Durban on Wednesday.

According to reports, Adrian Thompson the England manager/coach has been forced to fall back on a sevens squad made up largely of second division players, students and individuals following a domestic rift.

It is believed that the 12 Premiership sides announced their decision of non-cooperation earlier this week as a protest over the Rugby Football Union's delay in adopting the terms of the Rob Andrew plan.

Rob Andrew has won broad backing for his plans to restructure the game in England.

According to the presentation made by Andrews last year there would be 12 franchised teams ring-fenced in a top division with no promotion or relegation for a period of four years. The franchises would be decided geographically, with three teams in the four old divisions.

The Rob Andrew Plan deals with matters regarding promotion and relegation of teams and if not addressed soon may create chaos in the English domestic circuit.

The hastily chosen English squad is now made up of players who will most certanly be dispensed with before the World Cup Sevens in January, a time during which the Premiership clubs say they will release their players.

England had turned up at the Dubai Rugby Sevens in 1998. Local supporters were looking at their here with enthusiasm as they could prove to be a serious threat to teams like Fiji and New Zealand. According to sources, the current crisis has come as a bit of a dampner on England's hopes of putting up a positive showing in Dubai.

Meanwhile, Sevens heavyweights Fiji stopped over in Dubai on their way to South Africa yesterday. The Fijians had a practice session at the Dubai Exiles Rugby Club last evening.