GB Sevens fixtures unveiled

Men’s Head Coach Simon Amor and Assistant Coach Gareth Williams will name their wider training squad at the start of May with the final 12 for both the men and women then announced in mid-July.Two GB men’s teams will compete at:Rugby Europe Sevens Series in Moscow (4-5 June)Rugby Europe Sevens Series in Exeter (9-10 July)Rugby Europe Sevens Series in Gdinya (16-17 July)Sevens and the City at Allianz Park (2 July)With Team GB unable to compete on the HSBC Sevens World Series, camp will begin for the men at the Lensbury Hotel (Teddington) following the London Sevens (21-22 May).”It is a condensed programme as a result of a number of unique challenges but everyone involved is determined to give it everything for Team GB to be successful in Rio, said Head Coach Simon Amor.  Being able to enter two GB Teams in all competitions allows us to test different combinations and confirm which 15s players can make the physical, mental and game understanding transition.  By the time we have played at our home tournament in Exeter, we will have a good understanding of which players are really putting their hands up.  I’ve been looking closely both at sevens specialists from across the three unions and a number of 15-a-side players throughout the season and know the balance we need in the squad. “Previous international sevens experience is important for the players coming in and certain positions and skill sets allow them to blend better with current sevens players.Amor added: Believe in extraordinary is a Team GB strap line and from the end of May it’s all about Team GB first.  This will be the first GB Rugby Sevens team and it is a huge honour for everyone to be a part of. WOMENWomen’s Head Coach Simon Middleton will continue to work alongside Assistant Coach Ritchie Pugh with the squad of 24, including two Welsh players and Stephanie Johnston, which has been training together since October. GB Select women have already competed in Dubai, Las Vegas and Vancouver.The women will compete at:Rugby Europe Sevens in Kazan (11-12 June)Invitational tournament in Tignes (14-16 July)”The focus for the squad right now is continuity, said Team GB Head Coach Simon Middleton. The girls are training together and preparations are going well. It is also important that we have the opportunity to compete as a GB team, given that, as with the men, it is an England squad that plays in the World Series.”These invitational competitions are therefore right up there in the Rio preparation. There are still a few months to go but we need synergy within the team and so it’s a case of girls putting themselves forward, getting the shirt and then keeping it.”