The Sevens is nearly back and Wasps are taking it very seriously

The Singha sevens is nearly upon us and Wasps are the first to name their team (Friday 21st at the Ricoh). It's a statement of intent.

Wasps name strong squad for the Singha 7s

10 August 2015 14:24pm

© Wasps

Wasps have today announced a provisional 14 man squad, from which the final squad will be selected, to compete against Harlequins, Northampton Saints and Saracens, at the Ricoh Arena on Friday 21 August (KO 7.15pm), in Group C of the Singha Premiership Rugby 7s.

"There's a real buzz when you look through the names in this initial squad. It's a really exciting group of players who can light up any Premiership field with their pace and skills, so we are looking forward to watching what they can do with the extra space you get on the field with 7s."

Wasps' fliers Christian Wade, Elliot Daly and Josh Bassett have all been named, alongside up-and-coming fly half Alex Lozowski and new signing Dan Robson, who was part of Gloucester's title winning 7s squad last season.

Among the senior squad forwards in action at the Ricoh Arena, will be former England Sevens squad member Guy Thompson, fellow back-rowers Sam Jones and Thomas Young and lock Will Rowlands.

The Singha 7s will provide the first opportunity for new signings Brendan Macken (centre), Alex Rieder (back row) and Jamie Stevenson (scrum half) to impress in black and gold, as well as a chance for academy players Owain James and Conor Dolan to make their mark and benefit from training alongside so many members of the senior squad.

The Ricoh Arena will host a packed evening's entertainment for both sports fans and music fans, as the 7s action is followed by a Ministry of Sound After Party, with Danny Howard from BBC Radio One, taking to the decks in the Jaguar Indoor Arena (for over 18s only). Supporters are encouraged to sport neon colours during the 7s for a party atmosphere at the Ricoh Arena.

The entire Wasps squad will also be at the Ricoh Arena to support the team and will be available before the tournament for autographs and photos with supporters, following their open training session at Broadstreet Rugby Club that afternoon.

Academy Manager Matt Davies, who will be in charge of Wasps' 7s squad, spoke of the excitement building amongst the team for their first taste of competitive action in the 2015/16 season:

"This is the first opportunity the players will have, in what is an unusually long pre-season, to hit the ground with anger if you like," said Davies.

"Due to the Rugby World Cup and the Aviva Premiership season kicking off later, it's a 17-week pre-season, and so the Singha 7s will be the first highlight for players and fans to look forward to and a chance for players to test their fitness and play some rugby.

"In addition to that, we're at home. We've already enjoyed some fantastic experiences at the Ricoh Arena since our move and as a squad and as a club, we are determined to make this another enjoyable occasion for our supporters.

"There's a real buzz when you look through the names in this initial squad. It's a really exciting group of players who can light up any Premiership field with their pace and skills, so we are looking forward to watching what they can do with the extra space you get on the field with 7s.

"Each player will have different personal aspirations at this phase of pre-season. It's a huge opportunity for our younger academy players Owain James and Conor Dolan, to mix with the senior players and learn from being exposed to the levels required in this kind of tournament.

"Group C is a really tough group. Harlequins have traditionally been very successful in 7s and Saracens won this tournament a few years ago, while Northampton Saints have really talented squads for both 7s and 15s, so we know the challenge ahead of us."

Wasps' provisional squad for Singha 7s * subject to fitness

Alex Lozowski
Alex Rieder
Brendan Macken
Christian Wade
Conor Dolan
Dan Robson
Elliot Daly
Guy Thompson
Jamie Stevenson
Josh Bassett
Owain James
Sam Jones
Thomas Young
Will Rowlands

Basset, Robson, Day and Wade all have the potential to set the sevens alight with some serious pace and footwork. Some youngsters in there with first team experience as well, really strong squad. Will other teams be as brave?

17 week pre season ouch!

An unusually strong squad from Wasps which is usually used to blood academy lads but this looks a strong mix.

It has been agreed that the welsh regions can join in the competition for the second year in succession and they kick it off this Saturday with all the Regions playing at Cardiff.

BT sports 1.

I suppose with so many weeks off a few teams will be looking to give some of their backs and backrow game time to blow the cobwebs off before the preseason friendlies start in earnest. It would be good for the club's to take this more seriously as there is more rest time ahead of the new season for player recovery.

I'm guessing the Welsh teams won't be much stronger than previously due to the Pro 12 not delaying the start like the AP. Then again the Welsh teams tend to do pretty well anyway.

The welsh squads are out now

Cardiff Blues: Ben Roach, Garyn Smith, Owen Jenkins, Harry Davies, Seb Davies, Lewis Jones (capt), Jarrod Evans, Ellis Wyn Benham, Owen Lane, Gavin Dacey, Mike Hale, Chris Knight.

Newport Gwent Dragons: Matthew Pewtner, Dorian Jones, Ollie Griffiths, Luke Crocker, Owen Williams, Geriant Rhys Jones (capt), Elliot Frewen, Owen Davies, Arwel Robson, Lloyd Lewis, Jonny Lewis.

Ospreys: Alex Humphries, Joe Gage, Reuben Williams, Lloyd Williams, Ross Jones, Aled Jenkins (capt), Keelan Giles, Morgan Williams, Phil Jones, Joel Matavesi, Jon Fox, Jordan Collier.

Scarlets: Chris Banfield, Nathan Edwards, Iolo Evans. Ollie Hutchin, Connor Lloyd (capt), Shaun Pearce, Lee Rees, Will Thomas, Luke Treharne, Jacob Unwin, Aaron Warren, Richard Williams.

I bet the Dragons get a dodgy schedule again and have to play back to back games...

munkian wrote:I bet the Dragons get a dodgy schedule again and have to play back to back games...

Dragons and Scarlets both have back to back games, and the Blues on Ospreys have gaps between all their games.

Singha Premiership 7s Series – Group A
Game 1 – Blues v Ospreys (3.15pm)
Game 2 - Dragons v Scarlets (3.40pm)
Game 3 - Dragons v Ospreys (4.10pm)
Game 4 - Blues v Scarlets (4.35pm)
Game 5 - Ospreys v Scarlets (5.05pm)
Game 6 – Blues v Dragons (5.30pm)

FFS

Well someone has to play back to back eventually.

I don't know any of those Welsh boys, who are the ones to watch?

formerly known as Sam wrote:Well someone has to play back to back eventually.

I don't know any of those Welsh boys, who are the ones to watch?

The ones in Scarlets jerseys

Realistically, I would say from the Scarlets we have wales 7s players in there like Unwin, and Trehearne, and we have decent attacking XV players in the re like Lee Rees, Connor Lloyd, Aaron Warren and Iolo Evans, so they should be good to watch. The Ospreys have some 7s specialist in there too with the likes of Aled Jenkins, and Ross Jones. And then there is Matavesi Jnr, and handful more that were in the 7s last season. The Dragons have Geriant Rhys Jones with international 7s experience, and some exciting young players like Pewtner, Arwel Robinson and Ollie Griffiths. As for the Blues, they will have Josh Lewis, another 7s international as captain, and a fair few of last seasons squad too.

So all in all the four are fielding some 7s specialists, and young attacking players. So theoretically we are in for a treat.

An exceptionally strong Wasps squad and I can't see many sides, if any, fielding as strong a side.

I think it'll be very tough for Glaws to retain the trophy this year, although Steph Reynolds has just clocked 10.4s for the 100m, so he may well score his usual hat full of tries...

How can the Premiership 7s be sponsored by a beer from Thailand which tastes like the Thames at low tide?

formerly known as Sam wrote:Well someone has to play back to back eventually.

I don't know any of those Welsh boys, who are the ones to watch?

We had back to back games last year too was my point but we did get to the finals...which was nice.

Did any of the Wasps boys actually play 7s ? I see Wade is in there

To be honest it makes sense for Wasps playing a strong team - they are the home team afterall.

I hope Saracens go with a strong team too. Want to see them using the likes of Ellery,Earle,Tompkins,Spencer,Perkins,Mordt etc in the backs though it's a risk.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Well someone has to play back to back eventually.

I don't know any of those Welsh boys, who are the ones to watch?

None of them as they're all mostly failed U20 players playing for premiership teams.

munkian wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Well someone has to play back to back eventually.

I don't know any of those Welsh boys, who are the ones to watch?

We had back to back games last year too was my point but we did get to the finals...which was nice.

Did any of the Wasps boys actually play 7s ? I see Wade is in there

Do you know how much the current squad differs from the one last year?

Also I remember Ospreys getting thrashed in every game, that was decent .

I know Wardle and Dorian are playing - will have to try and find old and new squad lists

munkian wrote:I know Wardle and Dorian are playing - will have to try and find old and new squad lists

Wardle isn't. He's playing for the Dragons tonight.

Hmmm.... Ok, sure I saw him photographed with the other region's 7s players.

Fairy nuff

http://www.premiershiprugby.com/news/36410.php#Y5meCS2xl20TKLvh.97

Saracens squad for Singha 7s

1. Nils Mordt ©
2. Tom Whiteley
3. Dom Morris
4. Matt Gallagher
5. Nathan Earle
6. Max Wilkins
7. Liam Perkins
8. Matt Hankin
9. Ben Earl
10. Leo Fielding
11. Kevin Barrett
12. James Tirrell


Not very strong Saracens team but Mordt is an experienced 7s player as is Barrett.

Nathan Earle is the one to watch for Sarries. He could make the difference.


Looking at the Saints,Wasps,Sarries and Quins squads.

I expect Wasps to come top obviouslt. Only Wasps have been brave with a strong squad and no surprise as they are at home.

Difficult to say who will get 2nd spot though I would edge towards Saracens simply because they have the likes of Hankin,Mordt,Barrett and Earle.

Though saying that it's very difficult to predict.

Dragons and Turks won the Welsh group btw- was a good day out.

So the four Welsh teams have their own pool, and then they progress to the latter stages with other group winners from the premiership teams?

Are Gloucester not around this year? I thought they won it last season (beating my team in the final ).

All the A teams will be entered Mikey. How string their team will be is unknown.

Tigers have named 11 academy players only one of whom has any first team experience (sevens last year and one LV appearance). The 12th man is a young open side on trial from Moseley.

LI squad for tomorrow announced a few days ago.

London Irish Singha 7s Series Squad:
Ross Neal
Connor Murphy
Johnny Williams
Callum Watson
Tom Parton
Joe Cokanasiga
Curtis Langdon
Matt Williams
Rory Brand
Ryan Jeffery
Sam Bellhouse
Paul Hodgson

No 1st team squad. A mix of senior academy, U18s, ringers (Jeffery and Bellhouse from Apache) and Hodgson dusting off his boots.

Leicester go in with a bunch of kids:

http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/23305.php#.VdV8FflVhHw wrote:Leicester Tigers squad
1 George Nairn
2 Jake Farnworth (c)
3 George Worth
4 Stone Priestley-Nangle
5 Ben Pons
6 Wesley Douglas
7 Will Evans
8 Oliver Povoas
9 Ben White
10 John Hargreaves
11 Paolo Odogwu
12 Ryan Olowofela

Is Oliver Povoas any relation to former tigers no8 Simon?

Other 3 sides in our section also going with a lot of unknown names:

Newcastle Falcons: 1 Joe Craggs, 2 Scott Riddell, 3 Callum Chick, 4 Gavin Lowe, 5 Scott Wight, 6 James Johnstone, 7 Dan Marshall, 8 Mark Robertson, 9 Ruaridh Dawson, 10 Joe Nayacavou, 11 James Fleming, 12 Jamie Farndale

Sale Sharks: 1 Nev Edwards, 2 Liam Parfitt, 3 Christian Lewis Pratt, 4 George Nott, 5 Matt Rogerson, 6 Charlie Ingall, 7 John O'Donnell, 8 Sam James, 9 James Mitchell (c), 10 Tom Morton, 11 Tim Jeffers, 12 Mark Jennings

Worcester Warriors: 1 Huw Taylor (c), 2 Dean Hammond, 3 Heath Stevens, 4 George de Cothi, 5 Jamie Shillcock, 6 Perry Humphreys, 7 Josh Adams, 8 Mat Gilbert, 9 Jonas Mikallcius, 10 Will Butler, 11 Ben Fowles, 12 Robbie Smith

4 of our players are Senior Academy kids who have been promoted to (train with) the Senior squad this season. LT
Calum Chick is the current England u18 Captain @ No.8 has a real bright future.
Joe Cragg is another academy back rower with a bright future...plays all the spots 6,7,8 at the moment hasn't really set to one yet.
Dan Marshall and Ruaridh Dawson are the other two.

The rest I don't know a lot about at all....

Edit: By all accounts the rest are all Scotland 7's players....which is a total cop out.

We have lots of cracking young players why not give them a run out!

So far only Wasps gunning for the title then.

Odogwu is supposed to be a promising wing or 13 for Tigers so should be one to watch, didn't he get some squad time with the England 7s as well?

Any one got the Quins team??

All I can find is that Joe Marchant is captain.

formerly known as Sam wrote:
Odogwu is supposed to be a promising wing or 13 for Tigers so should be one to watch, didn't he get some squad time with the England 7s as well?

not sure, a lad called Gift Sankoh was called up for one of this summer's Euro rounds

Hmm probably got the two confused.

formerly known as Sam wrote:So far only Wasps gunning for the title then.

Odogwu is supposed to be a promising wing or 13 for Tigers so should be one to watch, didn't he get some squad time with the England 7s as well?

How'd you figure that one ?

Some very unhappy falcon fans airing their views on the unoffy.

Asking why we have brought in a load of non falcon players when we have a load of talented kids in the academy. I agree completely.

Official comment from club is that we're focusing solely on 15's this season? Poor response.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Some very unhappy falcon fans airing their views on the unoffy.

Asking why we have brought in a load of non falcon players when we have a load of talented kids in the academy. I agree completely.

Official comment from club is that we're focusing solely on 15's this season? Poor response.

How bizarre. Given the season doesn't start for 2 months, this is the perfect opportunity to give the young guns a run out as well as a few more seasoned heads. It'll build fitness, give a change of focus to the lengthy pre-season and, as Glaws do, it also allows more junior coaches the opportunity to take charge and build experience.

munkian wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:So far only Wasps gunning for the title then.

Odogwu is supposed to be a promising wing or 13 for Tigers so should be one to watch, didn't he get some squad time with the England 7s as well?

How'd you figure that one ?

So far they are the only team to name first team internationals in the sevens squad. Glaws team was string but they haven't named big name players ala Wasps with Daley, Wade and Robson.

Impressive start by Wasps and apart from the expected great performances from Wade,Daly & Robson I was also impressed by young Brendan Macken signed from Leinster. He looks a good prospect.

Macken looks like he's got the wrong career. Really looks like he should be on the sevens circuit. Considering it was his first go at sevens he looked very assured. Wade lit the competition up as expected. At 15 aside he leaves defenders on their backside so at sevens he was always going to cause havoc. Robson looked class as usual. He'll be a great signing.

Wasps just turned up with a gun to a knife fight. Far more fire power than anyone else.

Do Wasps have enough wingers to allow Wade to stake a claim for Rio?

Probably not though you'd hope he was given the chance. He could really add something.

Well it doesn't look like hes going to get a call for the 15's England side....

formerly known as Sam wrote:

munkian wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:So far only Wasps gunning for the title then.

Odogwu is supposed to be a promising wing or 13 for Tigers so should be one to watch, didn't he get some squad time with the England 7s as well?

How'd you figure that one ?

So far they are the only team to name first team internationals in the sevens squad. Glaws team was string but they haven't named big name players ala Wasps with Daley, Wade and Robson.

Id rather have genuine 7s players than international XV players.

Depends on who the full international is. Someone like Wade or Robson Would be playing to England sevens if they were to be made available. Certainly there's benefit from having sevens players who are specialists.

Fair enough, it was just a bit disingenuous to teams who have 7s players in them is all.

Apologies not intended. That Wasps side though, it's ridiculously strong compared to what AP sides normally name. A number of sides bring in sevens players and they always add something but if that Wasps team stays unchanged I can't see them getting beat though Glaws also look pretty strong.

Fairy nuff, Friday should be good, hopefully the Dragons will be as strong again

Hmmm - Premiership rugby Just tweeted the Dragons and Ospreys asking which fans are going to the finals...

Spot the mistake...

Must be on the wind-up. Hope it works .

mikey_dragon wrote:Must be on the wind-up. Hope it works .

They've removed it after a fair bit of stick...

What an atrocious attendance at the Stoop. This is the 2nd year running that there has barely been anyone at the final. If the Jeff can't market it properly for Quins then they should try somewhere else.

HongKongCherry wrote:What an atrocious attendance at the Stoop. This is the 2nd year running that there has barely been anyone at the final. If the Jeff can't market it properly for Quins then they should try somewhere else.

Well who's running out for the premiership teams?

Dragons is some academy boys, but there's also some names I've heard of who have had a lot of game time (for some of them it is because they happen to be the coaches sons). Anyway, Dragons swept Sale aside and just won a close-fought game against Glaws. I guess we'll be meeting Wasps in the final unless Scarlets have done us a favour?

HT at the stoop. 7 a piece for finalists Dragons and Wasps.