Varndell, Phillips boost for England
Thu, 13 May 2010 13:21
Tom Varndell (London Wasps) and Ollie Phillips (Stade Français) will return to England action next weekend at the London leg of the International Rugby Board Sevens World Series.
The pair boost an already experienced line-up which includes Kevin Barrett (Saracens), Ben Gollings (Gold Coast, Australia) and Moseley's James Rodwell - which also marks a first outing for both players this season.
England international (four caps) and Saxons speedster Varndell, returns to the Sevens fold after helping them to reach the 2009 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal in Dubai and adding to England's tally in Hong Kong and Adelaide.
Whilst Phillips, who won the 2009 IRB Sevens Player of the Year award, led England to two tournament victories last season in Wellington and London when they finished third overall, their highest ranking since 2006.
Ben Ryan's squad is also bolstered by England Saxons scrumhalf Micky Young, who scored the winning try for England in last year's London final, and his Newcastle teammate Rob Vickerman.
Ryan said, "This is a great squad full of pace and the X-factor and the training has been fantastic this week.
"It's very exciting to have such a good group and I know all the lads are really excited about the London weekend. Personally, it's been very hard selecting the squad and it's going to be even harder naming a starting side. There are going to be some fantastic sides out there next weekend and with a bit of luck we might be able to compete with them."
England are currently four points behind fourth placed Australia in the Series and will face them on day one.
With just two legs in this year's Series remaining, the home side need to pick up full points if they are to overtake Australia and close the 20-point gap between them and third place Fiji.
England squad: Greg Barden (Royal Navy), Kevin Barrett (Saracens), John Brake (Northampton Saints), Chris Brightwell (Bedford), Ben Gollings (captain, Gold Coast, Australia), Simon Hunt (Birmingham and Solihull), Oliver Lindsay-Hague (Harlequins), Ollie Phillips (Stade Français), Tom Powell (Unattached), James Rodwell (Moseley), Mat Turner (Bristol Rugby), Tom Varndell (London Wasps), Rob Vickerman (Newcastle Falcons), Christian Wade (London Wasps), Micky Young (Newcastle Falcons).
* Christian Wade will be replaced by Nick Royle for Edinburgh
Contact Us | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Advertising
