Team GB Sevens plans unveiled

by **Rugby Fan** Thu 28 May 2015, 4:01 pm

First topic message reminder :

Details remain thin. Joe Lydon is the team performance manager, but we already knew that. No coaches have been named. A selection panel with representatives from England, Wales and Scotland will choose.

This note on player eligibility is new:

In order to be eligible for selection, players must hold a British passport and should have previous sevens experience at international level having played in any one or more of the following tournaments in the 14-month period prior to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games:

World Rugby International World Sevens Series
Rugby Europe International Sevens Tournaments
Invitational preparation tournament

Eligible players will be required to express their interest in being selected through their respective home union’s performance programmes

.

http://www.englandrugby.com/news/team-sevens-programme-unveiled/

by The Great Aukster Thu 07 Apr 2016, 6:53 pm

The 10m / second is an interesting stat.

If it was the first 10m from a standing start he would be about 4.5m up on Usain Bolt!
If it was his average speed over say 50m he would still be up about 4.5m on Bolt!
If it was his top speed reached after about 60m he would be finishing the 100m in 13+ seconds.

Not bad but the really quick Sevens guys are closer to 10 seconds than 13.

by Nematode Thu 07 Apr 2016, 7:48 pm

I think the selectors need to be careful - just as 7s players don't necessarily make the jump to 15s, 15s players aren't necessarily going to be effective 7s players.

From Scotland (who do have players good enough for sevens... picard

...), I think Sam Hidalgo Clyne, Mark Bennett, WP Nel, Damien Hoyland and especially Stuart Hogg are the three that could be worth considering. From Wales I think Matthew Morgan would be useful and from England Jack Clifford, Jack Nowell and Danny Care.

I think there should be a maximum of 3 15s players in the starting line up, partly to improve quality, partly so that sevens players get a shot that deserve it.

by **LondonTiger** Fri 08 Apr 2016, 3:32 pm

Beeb wrote:Great Britain will compete in a series of international sevens tournaments in preparation for the Rio Olympic Games.

Men's head coach Simon Amor will name a training squad in May, with a men's and women's final 12 announced in July.

Two men's teams will enter tournaments in Moscow, Exeter, Gdynia and London in June and July, with the women's sides competing in Kazan and Tignes.

"It is a condensed programme as a result of a number of unique challenges," said Amor.

"But everyone involved is determined to give it everything for Team GB to be successful in Rio."

England, Wales and Scotland compete separately on the Sevens World Series but will form one team for Rio.

by **LondonTiger** Fri 08 Apr 2016, 3:35 pm

Nematode wrote:I think the selectors need to be careful - just as 7s players don't necessarily make the jump to 15s, 15s players aren't necessarily going to be effective 7s players.

From Scotland (who do have players good enough for sevens... ...), I think Sam Hidalgo Clyne, Mark Bennett, WP Nel, Damien Hoyland and especially Stuart Hogg are the three that could be worth considering. From Wales I think Matthew Morgan would be useful and from England Jack Clifford, Jack Nowell and Danny Care.

I think there should be a maximum of 3 15s players in the starting line up, partly to improve quality, partly so that sevens players get a shot that deserve it.

Were you sneaking Nel in there as a joke?

Of the English you mention, Clifford could do alright but Joe Simpson would be better at 7s than Care I reckon, while for a paceman Watson (A or M) or even Varndell (who does have 7s experience) would all thrive more than Nowell in the abbreviated format.

by yappysnap Sat 09 Apr 2016, 11:25 am

Back in the day Varndell and Tait absolutely tore up the 7s circuits

by **LondonTiger** Sat 09 Apr 2016, 1:18 pm

yappysnap wrote:Back in the day Varndell and Tait absolutely tore up the 7s circuits

they did. Varndell still has that pace, but Tait is a yard slower nowadays.

by **Rugby Fan** Sun 10 Apr 2016, 2:23 am

Armor apparently looking at 15s players with sevens experience. If the Telegraph is to be believed, there aren't many on his shopping list, not least because of availability issues.

Tipuric and Hogg get a name check, while North is thought unlikely because of the NZ tour and his contract with Saints. Joe Simpson is touted but it would be a big call to turn down a call from Jones to go to Australia, if he wants to get a regular squad place.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-sevens/2016/04/09/justin-tipuric-in-the-frame-to-make-great-britain-olympic-squad/

by **LondonTiger** Sun 10 Apr 2016, 8:59 am

The problem is not only the summer tour, but that players would then be taking their 5 week break in September, so realistically only ready to play in 16/17 in last October at best.

This may be Simpson's best chance to shine on a big stage though. With robson perhaps edging in front of him at Wasps, and being a player that Jones seems to like, any England chances for Simpson could be receding faster than his hairline.

by True Raven Sun 10 Apr 2016, 1:26 pm

Wru have given tipuric the green light to play....however a summer off would be the best for him due to his horrific concussion

by **Rugby Fan** Wed 20 Apr 2016, 2:46 pm

I've seen a few articles recently proposing players for Team GB Sevens - there's one in the Telegraph today.

One thing has become increasingly obvious. Most rugby journalists clearly don't bother to watch much sevens action. Sure, it's fun to imagine what a team full of XVs stars would do at the Olympics with the right preparation, but even the best teams are keeping a core squad of regular sevens players for the tournament.

There's no doubt Team GB preparation has been very poorly managed but its not much helped when professional rugby journalists don't seem to have the first idea who our best current sevens players are.

by beshocked Wed 20 Apr 2016, 3:43 pm

Just read Road Runner (Jonny May) won't be available for Rio, shame I think he would suit 7s better than XVs.

by funnyExiledScot Wed 20 Apr 2016, 4:04 pm

LondonTiger wrote:
Nematode wrote:I think the selectors need to be careful - just as 7s players don't necessarily make the jump to 15s, 15s players aren't necessarily going to be effective 7s players.

From Scotland (who do have players good enough for sevens... ...), I think Sam Hidalgo Clyne, Mark Bennett, WP Nel, Damien Hoyland and especially Stuart Hogg are the three that could be worth considering. From Wales I think Matthew Morgan would be useful and from England Jack Clifford, Jack Nowell and Danny Care.

I think there should be a maximum of 3 15s players in the starting line up, partly to improve quality, partly so that sevens players get a shot that deserve it.

Were you sneaking Nel in there as a joke?

Of the English you mention, Clifford could do alright but Joe Simpson would be better at 7s than Care I reckon, while for a paceman Watson (A or M) or even Varndell (who does have 7s experience) would all thrive more than Nowell in the abbreviated format.

Nowell is definitely not a 7s player. He's very much a specialist XVs winger, as it's his allround game rather than his attackling attributes that qualify him for international rugby.

Regarding each of the home nations XVs teams, I would consider the following players for 7s:

England: Croft, Banahan, Wade, May, Walker, Simpson and Watson.
Ireland: SOB, Marshall (tiny Ulster 9), Jackson, Zebo, Gilroy and Earls.
Scotland: Wilson, Watson, Vernon, SH-C, Visser and Hogg.
Wales: Tipuric, G Davies, Morgan, North, Amos and Cuthbert.

by beshocked Wed 20 Apr 2016, 4:44 pm

Banahan really? Surely he's too slow for 7s.

Croft is a great shout though.

How about Thacker too?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oszl5iQCq5w

by funnyExiledScot Wed 20 Apr 2016, 4:49 pm

Yep, Thacker could certainly have a go. I haven't yet got tired of watching that try against Saints.

I listed Banahan as a suggested forward. He's quite good at drawing players and offloading which can be a handy skill in 7s, plus has the bulk for being a forward in 7s. Agree that he wouldn't suit being on the wing.

by **Rugby Fan** Thu 21 Apr 2016, 1:24 am

funnyExiledScot wrote:..I listed Banahan as a suggested forward. He's quite good at drawing players and offloading which can be a handy skill in 7s, plus has the bulk for being a forward in 7s. Agree that he wouldn't suit being on the wing.

I don't think he's good enough at reclaiming kick-offs, which is something you need your tall men to do in sevens.

by Gooseberry Thu 21 Apr 2016, 9:12 am

fa0019 wrote:
yappysnap wrote:
TJ wrote:I thought the team was supposed to be 7s players only - not 15s drafted in

No

Players who've played in specified 7's tournaments eg. the world series or a special 7's invitational event (basically for 15's players).

A few 15's players i'd like to see at the invitational if it ever happens:
England - Wade, Croft, Clifford, OLH, Hughes
Wales - Tipuric, North, M Morgan, Henson
Scotland - Hogg, Visser

Henson?

Not the tanned one surely

a) is he still alive and playing
b) is his game really suited to 7s?

or is it someone else

Have those guys actually played in one of the international qualifying tiorunaments in the last few months? To be eleigable for selection it has to to be the 14 months leading up to the Olympics.

Im sure there will be a hastily arranged special invitational organised to get those 15 players who do experess an interest the opportunity to get qualified sometime this summer but its still and ask for current test players to be committing to the olympics. Id be surprised if Wales released any of their contracted players, and someone like Wade would be putting his England ambitions on hold (probably why Ashtons encouraging him to go for it!) rather than going to Aus.
The clubs would also have to agree to release players which could complicate things further.

Who pays the players wages in all this?

Arent there any aging New Zealand Rugby League players qualified for it? Whistle

by funnyExiledScot Thu 21 Apr 2016, 9:15 am

Rugby Fan wrote:
funnyExiledScot wrote:..I listed Banahan as a suggested forward. He's quite good at drawing players and offloading which can be a handy skill in 7s, plus has the bulk for being a forward in 7s. Agree that he wouldn't suit being on the wing.
I don't think he's good enough at reclaiming kick-offs, which is something you need your tall men to do in sevens.

True. Croft might be a better bet in which case.

by king_carlos Sat 30 Apr 2016, 8:33 pm

Warburton picking up a knock today makes it feel even less likely that James Davies will be at the Olympics rather than Wales' tour to NZ. Hopefully the choice is left up to him (as I'd like to be the case with all the players who Amor is interested in adding).

The decision for Davies could be tough as he might be one of the few guys who could play a starting role in bigger matches at the Olympics.

Other names from 15s being touted are Hogg and Bennett from Scotland and Joe Simpson from England/Wasps. All could be interesting options. I can't realistically see anyone as half backs other than Tom Mitchell and Dan Bibby though.

by **Rugby Fan** Fri 06 May 2016, 4:34 am

The Australian Sevens program has ruled out using Quade Cooper in Rio. Here's their coach:

“There’s no doubt Quade is a quality player, but put simply, we just haven’t had the opportunity to work with him as much as we would have liked over the past five months. Each day I have a group of 20-plus players working on different structures and patterns of play and I don’t think we would have got the very best out of Quade had we just thrown him into a tournament with limited preparation – particularly for an event as momentous as the Olympics.

“As many players have found out throughout this season’s World Series, it is no easy task to transition from fifteens to the Sevens form of the game."

Quade played in Las Vegas and Vancouver for Australia, and there are still two rounds to go.

Sure, there might be other reasons to overlook Cooper but the statement above really highlights how ridiculous our organization is. Cooper is already deemed short of game time while our potential 15s converts haven't even started practising sevens.

by yappysnap Fri 06 May 2016, 7:17 am

Surely we aren't going to use any converts now? It's far too late for them to learn, they've now played a full season of XV's without a break too

by kingraf Fri 06 May 2016, 7:41 am

I don't like Sevens converts at the 12th hour being selected anyway.

by **Rugby Fan** Fri 06 May 2016, 8:54 am

yappysnap wrote:Surely we aren't going to use any converts now? It's far too late for them to learn, they've now played a full season of XV's without a break too

Simon Amor is supposed to have asked out the availability of players who already have a record of playing sevens (like Marcus Watson). If true, it would suggest he doesn't think there's time to bring in anyone who would be starting from scratch.

by king_carlos Fri 06 May 2016, 9:36 am

Pretty much all the guys being seriously touted by pundits who have a clue what's going on* and those who have been name checked by Amor are players who have significant 7s experience in the past. Hence the likes of James Davies and Watson.

There have been a few with more limited experience on the circuit recently who Amor fancies a look at such as Hogg and Bennett. Also a handful such as Wade, Joe Simpson and Rokoduguni who are believed to have thrown their hat in the ring. Whether Amor gives them a chance in the warm-ups and extended squad will be seen I guess.

I thought the North suggestion by Amor was him stating the sort of 15s player he'd have liked a chance to coach had the situation been better handled rather than suggesting someone such as North might make the switch at this stage.

*Possibly the laziest sports journalism I've ever read suggested Dave Denton moving back to Sevens alongside Matt Tait, who is now not very fast for 15s, and Manu who is still working back to being fit enough for a full 80 at highest intensity.

by yappysnap Fri 06 May 2016, 12:06 pm

I get the feeling that we'll end Rio '16 wondering what could have been if things had been managed better.

by Gooseberry Fri 06 May 2016, 12:50 pm

Rugby Fan wrote:
yappysnap wrote:Surely we aren't going to use any converts now? It's far too late for them to learn, they've now played a full season of XV's without a break too

Simon Amor is supposed to have asked out the availability of players who already have a record of playing sevens (like Marcus Watson). If true, it would suggest he doesn't think there's time to bring in anyone who would be starting from scratch.

So no Sam Burgess then?

by doctor_grey Sat 07 May 2016, 2:05 am

fa0019 wrote:
Tattie Scones RRN wrote:
TJ wrote:Certainly no Scots players worth a team place. adding any to the england squad would just weaken it - the best thing is simply to use the england team. Dunno about the welsh but i doubt any of their players would enhance the england 7s squad

When football went into the Olympics this is what happened. The england team went in under GB colours. SFA refused to take part

I just think it completely wrong to have a GB side in a sport that is always played by the individual nations.

With respect TJ, that's bollix.

Jamie Farndale would probably make the team quite easily.

Stuart Hogg?

Off the top of my head these would be the players I think could be serious 7s players in that side from XVs

George North
Justin Tipuric
Rhys Webb
Anthony Watson
Matt Tait
Tom Croft
Danny Care
John Hardie
Tim Visser

Phil Vickery

by **Rugby Fan** Sat 07 May 2016, 3:08 pm

It's easy for people to say "This guy would be great at sevens" because he seems fast, or has good handling, but you have to pick a role for them.

There's a lot of interchangeability between positions in sevens but, by and large, you need

Prop
Hooker
Prop
Scrum Half
Fly Half
Centre
Wing/Fullback

1993 is a long time ago, and the game is almost unrecognisable, but England's World Cup final team that year gives you an idea how things can break down:

Dallaglio
Sheasby
Rodber
Dave Scully
Nick Beal
Adebayo
Harriman

Three back rowers in the front row; Scully and Beal were outside halves in the longer code; Adebayo and Harriman were wingers.

There was still a lot of flexibility even then. Australia, for instance, played full back Matt Burke at hooker in that game. These days, it's not uncommon to see a big back in the front row (e.g. Sonny Bill Williams), since there are a lot more around now.

So, you can get an idea of the kind of trade-offs a sevens team will have.

You need at least one of your half backs, and probably both, to take on playmaker duties. They need to be able to break quickly, dummy, pass, chip the ball or thread it through. One of your team, usually a half back, has to be able to drop goal penalties and conversions, often at speed.

At least one of your props, and hopefully both, should be good at taking or contesting lineouts and restarts. That's a key part of the game, since it can determine possession for long periods.

The out-and-out speedster is usually at the wing/full back but it depends what kind of defensive alignment you use. If he's also the sweeper, then good acceleration is often enough, since he'll make breaks from behind for the faster men to track.

In short, any guy getting into the GB side at this stage will have to fit in with the skillsets of the four or five England players who are probably already in Amor's first team. It's just too late to start selecting from scratch.

This is my guess at those names: Mitchell, Rodwell, Bibby, Burgess (Phil) and Norton.

Rodwell could be injured, so there may be a vacancy for a tall, athletic, experienced prop. Norton has been out of form, so could lose his spot to a more productive danger man.

by **LondonTiger** Mon 09 May 2016, 7:06 pm

Mark Bennett looking to qualify for Rio

by king_carlos Mon 09 May 2016, 7:30 pm

It's a shame that Hogg hasn't chosen to join him. Of all the XVs players rumoured to fancy a go Hoggy was the most exciting by a distance I thought.

In a backline oustide of Tom Mitchell and Dan Bibby with Norton on the wing he could have been absolutely fantastic. Bennett isn't exactly a bad name to challenge for that spot though!

1.Phil Burgess
2.James Davies
3.James Rodwell
4.Tom Mitchell (c)
5.Dan Bibby
6.Mark Bennett
7.Dan Norton

That has a pretty tasty look to it.

With Norton out of form Christian Wade could be an excellent challenger in the warm-ups as well.

by formerly known as Sam Mon 09 May 2016, 9:31 pm

funnyExiledScot wrote:
Rugby Fan wrote:
funnyExiledScot wrote:..I listed Banahan as a suggested forward. He's quite good at drawing players and offloading which can be a handy skill in 7s, plus has the bulk for being a forward in 7s. Agree that he wouldn't suit being on the wing.
I don't think he's good enough at reclaiming kick-offs, which is something you need your tall men to do in sevens.

True. Croft might be a better bet in which case.

Tom is sadly the wrong side of thirty and some injuries for this. Had 2012 offered Olympics Sevens then he'd have been ideal but right now he's not in peak form and not quite the speedster he used to be. Maybe if he had another season to build up his form etc first.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/tom-croft-interview-i-know-i-can-get-back-to-my-prime-again-a6828256.html

by **LondonTiger** Thu 12 May 2016, 5:17 pm

25 person training squads announced for Men and Women.cannot link from phone sadly, but headline news is that 6 15s players are in the Men's squad:

Mark Bennet
Cory Allen
James Davies???
Olly Lindsay-Hague
Joe Simpson
Marcus Watson

by Tattie Scones RRN Thu 12 May 2016, 5:51 pm

SQUADS

Great Britain sevens men: Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors), Dan Bibby (England Sevens), Tom Bowen (England Sevens), Phil Burgess (England Sevens), Sam Cross (Wales Sevens), James Davies (Scarlets), Alex Davis (England Sevens), Richard de Carpentier (England Sevens), Jamie Farndale (Scotland Sevens), Alex Gray (England Sevens), Charlie Hayter (England Sevens), Warwick Lahmert (England Sevens), Ollie Lindsay-Hague (Harlequins), Gavin Lowe (Scotland Sevens), Ruaridh McConnochie (England Sevens), Tom Mitchell (England Sevens), Luke Morgan (Wales Sevens), Dan Norton (England Sevens), Scott Riddell (Scotland Sevens), Mark Robertson (Scotland Sevens), James Rodwell (England Sevens), Joe Simpson (Wasps), Luke Treharne (Wales Sevens), Marcus Watson (Newcastle Falcons).

by **Notch** Thu 12 May 2016, 7:03 pm

LondonTiger wrote:Mark Bennet
Cory Allen
James Davies???
Olly Lindsay-Hague
Joe Simpson
Marcus Watson

James Davies has been one of the best opensides in the Pro12 this season. He has the skills for it. Very good player.

by **Rugby Fan** Fri 13 May 2016, 3:30 am

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:SQUADS

Great Britain sevens men: Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors), Dan Bibby (England Sevens), Tom Bowen (England Sevens), Phil Burgess (England Sevens), Sam Cross (Wales Sevens), James Davies (Scarlets), Alex Davis (England Sevens), Richard de Carpentier (England Sevens), Jamie Farndale (Scotland Sevens), Alex Gray (England Sevens), Charlie Hayter (England Sevens), Warwick Lahmert (England Sevens), Ollie Lindsay-Hague (Harlequins), Gavin Lowe (Scotland Sevens), Ruaridh McConnochie (England Sevens), Tom Mitchell (England Sevens), Luke Morgan (Wales Sevens), Dan Norton (England Sevens), Scott Riddell (Scotland Sevens), Mark Robertson (Scotland Sevens), James Rodwell (England Sevens), Joe Simpson (Wasps), Luke Treharne (Wales Sevens), Marcus Watson (Newcastle Falcons).

The 25-man squad breaks down as:

15 from England - 12 Sevens specialists plus 3 Premiership players
5 from Scotland - 4 Sevens specialists plus 1 Pro12 player
5 from Wales - 3 Sevens specialists plus 2 Pro12 players

Only 12 can go to Rio.

I did a double-take when I realized a player with the name Ruaridh McConnochie is with England Sevens, not Scotland.

by **LondonTiger** Fri 13 May 2016, 8:27 am

Lindsay-Hague and Watson should probably count as 7s specialists and AP players perhaps?

by king_carlos Fri 13 May 2016, 10:15 am

Notch wrote:
LondonTiger wrote:Mark Bennet
Cory Allen
James Davies???
Olly Lindsay-Hague
Joe Simpson
Marcus Watson

James Davies has been one of the best opensides in the Pro12 this season. He has the skills for it. Very good player.

He's also a terrific 7s player already who has had success on the circuit with Wales. Of those 15s players he's one I'd probably back to start a big game (probably at hooker between Burgess and Rodwell).

Marcus Watson also has a shot given that Norton has been in indifferent form. I'd back Norton to find his best in the warm-ups though.

Bennett could be an interesting option outside of Mitchell/Bibby and inside Norton/Watson.

by **Rugby Fan** Fri 13 May 2016, 2:00 pm

LondonTiger wrote:Lindsay-Hague and Watson should probably count as 7s specialists and AP players perhaps?

Yes, in fact Simpson is really the only one with a sevens pedigree from some years ago.

Actually, for all the talk of bolstering squads with 15-a-side players, there don't seem to be too many making the cut for Rio, so maybe the form shown in Paris this weekend will be a good guide to how some of the teams are shaping up.

Incidentally, I see NZ have questioned whether a 12 man squad is really enough, because there are cases when teams have been stretched beyond breaking point during the World sevens series. It's difficult, because you could end up not needing players, and it would seem odd to award an Olympic medal to someone might have played little or no part in the tournament.

by **Rugby Fan** Wed 18 May 2016, 5:18 am

Green and Gold did an interview with Australian sevens coach Andy Friend. It starts around the 28:30 minute mark (give or take). Worth a listen if you want a quick summary of what kind of players a Sevens team needs.

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/podcast-209-7s-masterclass-with-andy-friend/

by **Rugby Fan** Wed 18 May 2016, 8:49 am

Simon Amor has been getting a bit of flack from England sevens supporters who have just noticed comments reported in the South China Morning Post last month.

“[But] the world series is not really important. The benefit of these tournaments is to find young talent and giving guys who have a chance for the Olympics to try to make the team.”

http://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1935066/england-look-beyond-plate-victory-and-target-rio

It's been frustrating to see so many of England's top exponents rested for several rounds this year. Amor may have a grand plan but it does nothing for morale to be spending half the season not qualifying for the Cup competition. There are also supporters who travel to tournaments expecting to see England put out their best team, and feel let down.

by **Rugby Fan** Sat 21 May 2016, 3:57 pm

Sky just showed a clip about Team GB preparations. I didn't know that some of the Welsh and English boys played together on the winning 2012 GB university sevens team. Details of that squad here:

http://www.bucs.org.uk/news.asp?itemid=10331&itemTitle=-Student+Lions-+Squad+Announced&section=8&sectionTitle=News+from+BUCS

by **Rugby Fan** Tue 07 Jun 2016, 3:46 pm

Slightly underwhelming result. Team GB sevens squad fielded two sides in the Moscow Sevens (places which would have gone to England and Wales) and neither won the tournament.

Once players were named to the GB Lions or GB Royals, they couldn't switch teams.

GB Royals: Cory Allen, Tom Bowen, Alex Davis, Jamie Farndale, Alex Gray, Warwick Lahmert, Ollie Lindsay-Hague, Ruaridh McConnochie, Luke Morgan, Scott Riddell, Joe Simpson, Luke Treharne (c)

GB Lions: Mark Bennett, Dan Bibby, Phil Burgess, Sam Cross, James Davies, Richard de Carpentier, Lee Jones, Gavin Lowe, Tom Mitchell (c), Dan Norton, Mark Robertson, Marcus Watson

Both started well, topping their pools by winning all three games. Then it went pear-shaped.

The GB Royals were beaten 17-14 by France in the quarter finals, in a close match decided by the last kick of the game.

The GB Lions made it to the semi-finals, where they were beaten by 17-10 by Russia, who later went on to beat France in the final.

Oddly enough, the Lions beat France and the Royals beat Russia in the pools.

The GB Lions had a good number of England Sevens starters, so they probably should have done better, if only because they should have had greater familiarity.

France and Russia are no mugs at sevens (France were Cup finalists in Paris) but no team hoping for an Olympic medal should lose to them.

by **RDW** Tue 07 Jun 2016, 3:53 pm

Mark Bennett got a good write up - he was top try scorer for the tournament with 7 tries.

I can't find the article but there was one report gushing with praise for him. And I don't even think it was a Scottish article!

by whocares Tue 07 Jun 2016, 7:06 pm

RF the French team in Moscow had apparently a few university players in it as the core 7s players for the Olympics just started their training in Paris yesterday. Can't even find the team list in the FFR website (had to dig on their Twitter account to get some vague info).

by whocares Tue 07 Jun 2016, 7:13 pm

Actually wasn't looking in the right place. It was the France 7s development team which included a couple of a T14 academy players.

by Pot Hale Tue 07 Jun 2016, 8:58 pm

I'm asking purely out of ignorance - is Team GB confined to players born in England, Wales and Scotland, or is it any player holding a British passport?

Do the parents, grandparents, residency rules apply same as the XV game?

by **Rugby Fan** Tue 07 Jun 2016, 11:34 pm

Pot Hale wrote:I'm asking purely out of ignorance - is Team GB confined to players born in England, Wales and Scotland, or is it any player holding a British passport?

Do the parents, grandparents, residency rules apply same as the XV game?

It's basically World Rugby qualification rules with the added Olympic requirement that you hold a passport for the country you represent.

There was talk of players who had played rugby for one country being allowed to play for another provided they hadn't done so for two years, and held a passport for the new one. Not sure what happened there except for World Rugby insisting any players switching teams (e.g. Steffon Armitage) couldn't go on to play Test rugby too.

The passport condition has tripped up a few. It's not uncommon to be a long term permanent resident of a country - even from childhood - without taking citizenship. Quade Cooper has been in Australia since he was 13 and still only had a NZ passport until earlier this year. Not sure if he even has an Australian one now, given he hasn't been selected. A year ago, the NZ sevens team had some players with only Fijian or Tongan passports, who couldn't compete in any Olympic qualifying events.

I think there might even have been some controversy during qualifiers, with some teams pulling out, or being disqualified, because they selected ineligible players.

by SecretFly Wed 08 Jun 2016, 3:36 pm

Soon the Olympics will become a pure commodity event.

UK, Russia, China and USA etc will bid for the services of freelance stars. So a guy like Usain Bolt might start out winning something for Jamaica but then he becomes a free agent to sell himself to the highest bidder for the following Olympics. And then onto the open market again for a Third Olympics.

The blur lines of Nationality AND Nation at these supposed International based events is becoming more and more 'complex'. And complexity always has a reason motivating it. It's there either to cause a smokescreen through which rules can be broken or it's there to pressurise for an end to rules themselves.

by whocares Wed 08 Jun 2016, 4:18 pm

SF - Qatar already done that with Handball thanks to some very loose regulations- they reached the world cup final (at home) by "employing" various foreigners from Spain to Montenegro.

by SecretFly Wed 08 Jun 2016, 4:35 pm

Didn't know that, whocares.

My prophesy bit me in the arse so Wink

It's not good though, when getting serious about it.

by **Rugby Fan** Tue 21 Jun 2016, 7:07 pm

Team GB will be in Pool C at Rio, which will include NZ, Kenya and probably Japan.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/olympics/81300949/new-zealand-sevens-team-to-learn-olympic-pool-after-world-rugby-announcement

In other news, the Honey Badger has a knee injury which will stop him taking part in a training camp. He's unlikely to go to Rio now, which means Australia will have no high profile 15 a side converts.

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