ENGLAND TO FACE FIJI IN CUP QUARTER-FINAL AT HSBC PARIS SEVENS

Jun 10 • General News, Sevens Rugby • 1698 Views • Comments Off on ENGLAND TO FACE FIJI IN CUP QUARTER-FINAL AT HSBC PARIS SEVENS

England have progressed to the Cup quarter-final at the HSBC Paris Sevens, and will play Fiji on Sunday 10 June (9:13 BST).

Earlier in the day England scored four tries and secured a 28-21 victory over hosts France, followed by a 28-19 win against Argentina. Their draw with USA meant they finished second in Pool D on points difference.

Against the USA Ollie Lindsay-Hague put England’s first points on the scoreboard.

It was short-lived, as Mike Friday’s men went down the other end to score a try of their own, through Folau Niua, and the successful extras gave them a two point lead.

Phil Burgess proved the catalyst behind England’s next score, making a crucial turnover at a breakdown, and quickly feeding Harry Glover who sprinted in from 70 metres unopposed.

Ryan Olowofela crossed at the start of the second half, after linking with Dan Norton, and a successful Dan Bibby conversion made it 21-7.

A breakaway Madison Hughes converted try cut the gap to seven points, and was followed up by a yellow card for England’s Charlie Hayter at the restart. The US opted for a lineout, and with a man advantage, scored in overtime via Kevon Williams.

England started quickly against Argentina as Glover sprinted out of his defensive line to intercept a hanging pass in the opening 20 seconds, giving Mitchell the easiest of conversions.

Mitchell converted his own try minutes later, after hitting a hard line off Norton and winning the foot race to the whitewash.

But undeterred, Argentina edged back into the game through tries from Marocs Maroni and Luciano Gonzalez on the stroke of half-time. One successful conversion gave England a two point lead.

Argentina poached an early second half score as Baza Valez noticed the ball was out at the back of an England ruck, and pounced on the opportunity.

Norton put England back in the ascendancy with his 296th career try, after collecting a drilling Mitchell kick – and Olowofela extended that lead, showing neat footwork and exceptional acceleration to make it 28-19, and two wins from two.

In their first game of the day, England scored straight from kick-off through Ollie Lindsay-Hague, who from inside his own 22, stepped the French defence to run unopposed to the line.

But France’s response was immediate – getting one back courtesy of Kevin Bly to level the match at 7-7.

Spurred on by a partisan crowd, France surged deep into England territory, only for captain Mitchell to make a crucial intercept and unleash Phil Burgess up the right flank. He held up defenders before lifting an offload to Ethan Waddleton, who duly scored to give England a seven point cushion.

France made sure the match would be level at the break, hitting back again via Paulin Riva to make it 14-14. And they took the lead for the first time at the restart, Tavite Veredamu broke through the England defence to dot down under the posts.

A moment of genius sparked by captain Mitchell gave England a momentum shift, as he jumped on a spilled France pass, breaking right and holding a defender up before flicking a pass inside for Olowofela to score.

Simon Amor’s men snatched the game from the hosts in the final 30 seconds as Burgess cut a hard line and steamed onto a pass from Lindsay-Hague just five metres out, to barrel over and confirm a 28-21 win.

England Sevens captain Tom Mitchell commented: “It was an exciting day one in Paris – the crowd were amazing which made for a brilliant atmosphere. Game one against France was always going to be a tough one – they really came with a lot of intensity so it was good to come out of that with a win.

“The same level of effort was required against Argentina where we showed some exciting attacking play to get two from two. It was unfortunate to concede a last play score against the USA to secure a draw in the third game.

“There was a really good scrap throughout the day from the boys and some lovely attacking rugby. I’m really pleased with the effort and we’re looking forward to going again tomorrow.”

England Sevens squad for HSBC Paris Sevens:

Dan Bibby
Tom Bowen
Phil Burgess
Mike Ellery
Harry Glover
Charlie Hayter
Ollie Lindsay-Hague
Tom Mitchell
Dan Norton
Ryan Olowofela
James Rodwell
Ethan Waddleton

13th man: Will Edwards

England’s Pool D fixtures, Saturday 9 June:

Pool D – England 28-21 France
Tries: Ollie Lindsay-Hague, Ethan Waddleton, Ryan Olowofela, Phil Burgess

Pool D – England 28-19 Argentina
Tries: Harry Glover, Tom Mitchell, Dan Norton, Ryan Olowofela

Pool D – England 21-21 USA
Tries: Ollie Lindsay-Hague, Harry Glover, Ryan Olowofela

Cup quarter-final – England v Fiji (9:13 BST , Sunday 20 June)