TEAM ENGLAND WOMEN SEVENS SIDE NAMED FOR 2018 COMMONWEALTH GAMES

Mar 26 • General News, Sevens Rugby • 1607 Views • Comments Off on TEAM ENGLAND WOMEN SEVENS SIDE NAMED FOR 2018 COMMONWEALTH GAMES

Team England head coach James Bailey has named his squad that will compete at the inaugural women’s rugby sevens tournament at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Australia (13th – 15th April).

England Women Sevens and Team GB player Abbie Brown has been named captain of the experienced side that includes seven Olympian athletes.

Emily Scarratt, former Team GB captain and recent Rugby World Cup finalist, is named as vice-captain with fellow Team GB players Heather Fisher, Claire Allan, Natasha Hunt, Emily Scott and Amy Wilson Hardy also named as part of the squad.

World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year 2017 nominee Lydia Thompson is included alongside 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup finalists Alex Matthews and Megan Jones.

England Women Sevens players Deborah Fleming and Jess Breach – who scored nine tries in her Sydney Sevens tournament debut earlier this year – are also included with Vicky Fleetwood named as travelling reserve.

England are drawn in Pool B and will kick off the opening day against Fiji, before facing Australia. On day two England face Wales in their last pool game.

James Bailey, Team England head coach today said: “We are really looking forward to competing at the Commonwealth Games in April. As a new squad, the players and management have worked tremendously hard to bring this squad together and also transition the experienced 15s players back to sevens within in a short time frame.

“We have really benefitted and developed a lot from competing on the World Series and at numerous invitational tournaments, against some of the best teams in the world, in order to be ready for this tournament.

“We have a lot of incredibly talented, world class players in this side who are willing to work exceptionally hard for each other – and it’s that level of dedication and commitment that we’re hoping will bring success at the Games.”

Holly Aitchison was unavailable for selection having sustained an injury (knee) at the Brisbane 7s invitational tournament.

Bailey added: “We really feel for Holly, she is a core part of the squad both on and off the field and wish her the best with her recovery in the coming weeks.”
Team England Women Sevens squad for 2018 Commonwealth Games:
Claire Allan
Abbie Brown ©
Lydia Thompson
Emily Scarratt
Natasha Hunt
Deborah Fleming
Heather Fisher
Emily Scott
Alex Matthews
Megan Jones
Jess Breach
Amy Wilson Hardy

Travelling reserve: Vicky Fleetwood