Rugby: Dubai 7’S squad announced

November 19, 2024

England Women’s 7s Head Coach Simon Amor has announced his squad for the Dubai Exiles Rugby 7s.

Wasps’ Sue Day has been named captain of the squad which includes 7s newcomers, Maggie Alphonsi and Sarah Beale. The nine other selected players were regular 7s players last season such as Heather Fisher of Wasps and Charlotte Barras of The Saracens.

Emma Layland of Richmond has been called up to replace her club and country teammate Amy Turner who has been struck by injury.

The tournament which begins on Thursday 27^th November will act as England’s first big test of the new season and act as a warm up for the 2009 iRB inaugural Women’s Rugby World Cup 7s, in March.

Coach, Amor commented, “This tournament comes at a good time for us as we look ahead to the World Cup. It will be good to go to Dubai and get a dry run of what the World Cup is going to be like and iron out any problems, whilst at the same time the players have their chance to stake their claim for that squad.

The team will hope to continue their run of success from the 2008 season which saw them record a clean sweep of wins in the Amsterdam 7s, the London Emirates Airline 7s and the Home Nations Cup.

England will launch their Dubai 7’s campaign by taking on the Aylesford Bulls in their first of two pool games and will complete their pool fixtures against the Wooden Spoon team on day two.

The top two teams from each pool then play off in the quarter-finals. On day three, England will then compete in either the Trophy or Plate semi-finals, with a chance to compete in the final that day also.

Amor said: “We are going into this tournament on the back of a really good training weekend. We have made huge steps forward in our attack play, and the general feeling in the 7s squad is very upbeat.

“It’s going to be a tough tournament, with a hard game against the Wooden Spoon side. I am looking for a really good performance from all the players and am looking forward to seeing our new 7s squad members in action for the first time.”

Natalie Cooper, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

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