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

First topic message reminder :

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?

And it's all over. Why don't you all congratulate the new champions, the DRAGONS. Undefeated, beat last year's winners and the much vaunted Wasps.

Dragons win something!

Griff wrote:Dragons win something!

Today the Singha 7s tomorrow the PrO'12

I know people will say 'it is only sevens' but the skills executed by our lads, under pressure and knackered after a long game and night were sublime

GavinDragon wrote:I know people will say 'it is only sevens' but the skills executed by our lads, under pressure and knackered after a long game and night were sublime

They were excellent watched it in the Courtyard.

Not sure it has any relevance to XV rugby but still that's our first trophy innit?

Not much relevance, but it is a good game for developing skills.

And yes first trophy

Excellent win for the Dragons.

This is what we've been doing wrong for the last 12 years of regional rugby - playing the wrong format! Explains a lot.

Seems the Men of Gwent were taking things seriously too eh Sam ?

In the final Dragons looked like a sevens team while Wasps looked like a team playing sevens.

munkian wrote:Seems the Men of Gwent were taking things seriously too eh Sam ?

I only caught the last few minutes of the final. The Dragons just looked to have more physicality. They seemed to use that to control the breakdown where they were getting the turnover decisions and then to power through the Wasps tackles and get the offloads. Impressive result for the Dragons. Hope they can take that into the Pro 12.