Dan Bibby, Phil Burgess, Dan Norton (pictured) and Marcus Watson return to the England Sevens squad after missing the Las Vegas round of the HSBC Sevens World Series, which England exited at the Cup quarter-finals.
Head coach Simon Amor has also called up former under-18 international Josh Watkins and Worcester Warriors teammate Richard de Carpentier, who comes in as a late replacement for the injured John Brake.
“It is great to welcome back a number of experienced players, Dan Bibby, Phil Burgess, Dan Norton and Marcus Watson. They were part of the squad who reached the final in Hong Kong last year and, even though they have had limited game time recently, their understanding of the tournament will be valuable for the young and new players such as Tom Bowen and Charlie Hayter,” said Amor.
“It is exciting to include Josh Watkins, a young and talented player, who will develop through the opportunity of playing in such an incredible tournament. We are continuing to build relationships with professional clubs in England and are very grateful to Worcester Warriors for releasing him and Richard de Carpentier to us. John Brake’s injury required a late change and we are delighted that Richard will be able to build on his recent experience from Wellington and Vegas.
England currently sit fifth in the standings, three points behind nearest rivals Australia in fourth, and Amor is hoping the large ex-pat presence in Hong Kong can lift his side to greater deeds.
“The history and prestige that come with the Hong Kong event make it very special,” Amor added. “The crowd is wonderful, they offer a really big lift for the players with a huge cheer when they run into the stadium. I know the players really thrived off that last year and we are very much looking forward to getting back out there.”
England face USA, Wales and Kenya in Pool D.
England squad:
Dan Bibby, Tom Bowen, Phil Burgess, Richard de Carpentier, Alex Gray, Charlie Hayter, Tom Mitchell (captain), Dan Norton, James Rodwell, Josh Watkins, Marcus Watson, Jeff Williams.
HK BACK FOR HK
Former captain Humphrey Kayange has been selected in the Kenya squad for the next two tournaments after finally recovering from the long-term ankle he sustained at the Commonwealth Games last year.
With the 33-year-old back on board, and the continued presence of regular stars Collins Injera, Andrew Amonde and Dan Sikuta, Kenya are looking to finish the series on a high.
Currently 12th in the standings with 29 points from five tournaments played, Kenya have no chance of qualifying for the Olympics in 2016 as one of the top four sides from the series, but head coach Felix Totty wants to take some momentum into the African qualifiers in Johannesburg at the beginning of November.
“We picked 18 points from the two legs (in Wellington and Las Vegas) and that was good performance. We are now targeting the Main Cup quarters in the remaining legs in a bid to finish the season strongly,” Totty.
Kenya squad:
Patrice Agunda, Andrew Amonde, Lavin Asego, Felix Ayange, Collins Injera, Humphrey Kayange, Leonard Mugaisi, Bush Mwale, Billy Odhiambo, Tonny Owuor, Dan Sikuta, Michael Wanjala.
EAGLES BRING IN THE OLD AND THE NEW
Mataiyasi Leuta will make his Men’s Eagles sevens debut and Nate Augspurger will pull on a USA jersey for the first time in over two years at the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens as Mike Friday’s team continues to push for an Olympic-qualifying position.
Explaining his selection, Friday said: “Matai’s physical transformation has been simply unbelievable and testament to the guidance by Chris [Brown] and the work ethic of Matai, who’s come so far in these last two months. He has also worked hard on his tactical and technical aspects and, whilst he is still raw in some areas, he is a beast of a man with an x-factor whether deployed on the wing or at prop.”
Leuta replaces Martin Iosefo in the squad. Iosefo was unavailable for last week’s Men’s Eagles Sevens High Performance Camp and selection to both of the upcoming Asian legs.
Augspurger, meanwhile, was last selected to the Eagles in Dubai during the 2012-13 Series.
“Nate has earned his recall and has been outstanding all week after impressing in Las Vegas for New York,” Friday added. “He is a clever attacking player and, although small in stature, very aggressive and tenacious in defense in both action and communication.”
The Eagles head to Hong Kong, the next stop on the HSBC Sevens World Series, in seventh place in the overall standings after continuing their recent good form with a fourth-place finish on home soil in Las Vegas.
With just six series places covering the sides in Pool D from England in fifth to Kenya in 12th, Friday knows the Eagles will have their work cut out in reaching the Cup knockout stages for the fourth tournament in a row.
“We are under no illusions how hard a group we find ourselves in at Hong Kong with England as well as the resurgent Kenya and a dangerous Wales team,” Friday said. “Whilst we recognise we have the ability and capability to do well, we recognise we need to play with a relentless desire, remain grounded, and play with accuracy to our potential.
“We want to be in that Cup competition come day three competing with the best teams.”
The Eagles are just 20 points from fourth in the Series standings and an automatic Olympic Games berth.
USA squad: Nate Augspurger, Perry Baker, Danny Barrett, Garrett Bender, Andrew Durutalo, Nic Edwards, Madison Hughes (captain), Carlin Isles, Mataiyasi Leuta, Folau Niua, Zack Test, Maka Unufe.
