GB name teams for Exeter 7s

By Steve Grace
8/7/2016

GB Sevens takes another step forward on the road to Rio this weekend when it competes in the Mitsubishi Motors Exeter Sevens at Sandy Park.

The second round of the Rugby Europe Sevens Grand Prix Series provides the squad with another opportunity to take on international opposition as the players look to stake a claim in the final squad of 12 for the Olympic games.

Head Coach Simon Amor said: “It is a unique challenge that the players face in that they want to show what they can do as individuals but need to do that within how we want to play as Team GB.”

Last weekend two teams competed in Sevens in the City at Allianz Park and, after winning their three pool games and respective semi-finals, met in a captivating final.

“That final really showed how much this opportunity means to the players but also demonstrated how there is a genuine desire for it to be Team GB first.  It was a great game of sevens and this weekend in Exeter will no doubt be equally fascinating.”

Due to the time frames for selection, laid out by the International Olympic Committee, a decision will be made next week as to which 12 will go to Rio and be named publically as part of Team GB on the 19^th of July.

Amor added: “The processes around selection mean that this tournament becomes even more important for everyone involved.   We have always said from the start we want to send the very best team to the Olympics and this may not necessarily be the best individuals.  It is about having the right combinations and blend of strengths and skill sets for GB.

“There is a lot of pressure on the guys heading into this weekend and it will be interesting to see how they all handle it but this pressure is great preparation for Rio.  Over the last six weeks they have gelled incredibly well as a group and created a very special and unique GB spirit.  They have all bought into the fact that every step made during this journey has been about ensuring that GB Sevens is in the best possible place come Rio and this weekend is another chance to show what they can do as players and as a squad.”

Only two changes are made from the start of the month when the GB Lions finished third in the Rugby Europe Moscow tournament, and the GB Royals lifted the plate, less than a week after the GB Sevens squad had gathered for the first time.

As the two teams take the place of England and Wales in this summer’s series, players cannot interchange between them for the three competitions in Moscow, Exeter and Gdynia (16-17 July).

Charlie Hayter and James Rodwell therefore replace the injured Tom Bowen (knee) and Joe Simpson, who was ruled out of Olympic contention with a dislocated elbow, while Jamie Farndale, who strained his hamstring in Moscow, makes a return to action.

“It is another opportunity for Charlie and James to get more game time and show what they are capable of,” said Amor. “And it is credit to both his determination, and the work of the medics, that Jamie is able to have one last go at making the final squad.”

The GB Royals will play Portugal, Poland and fellow Olympic competitors France in the pool stages on Saturday while the GB Lions face Germany, Italy and Belgium.

For ticket details and more information visit: www.exeterchiefs.co.uk

GB Royals 

Cory Allen
Alex Davis
Jamie Farndale
Alex Gray
Charlie Hayter
Warwick Lahmert
Ollie Lindsay-Hague
Ruaridh McConnochie
Luke Morgan
Scott Riddell
James Rodwell
Luke Treharne (capt)

Fixtures (live on Sky Sports 3)

v Portugal (12.36pm)

v Poland (3.21pm)

v France (5.44pm)

GB Lions

Mark Bennett
Dan Bibby
Phil Burgess
Sam Cross
James Davies
Richard de Carpentier
Lee Jones
Gavin Lowe
Tom Mitchell (capt)
Dan Norton
Mark Robertson
Marcus Watson

Fixtures: (live on Sky Sports 3)

v Belgium (1.20pm)

v Italy (4.05pm)

v Germany (6.50pm)