England Women Sevens head coach James Bailey has named his 12-player squad for the Marcoussis 7s Grand Prix tournament on 29 and 30 June, streamed live on the Rugby Europe website.
Abbie Brown returns to captain England in this first round of the Rugby Europe Women’s Grand Prix Sevens Series, which serves as the ranking tournament ahead of the official European Olympic qualification event in Kazan, Russia (13-14 July).
There are five other changes to the side that competed in the final leg of the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series in Biarritz earlier in the month, with Holly Aitchison, Alex Matthews, Helen Rowland, Emma Uren and Amy Wilson Hardy all back for England.
Day one of the competition sees England face Poland, Ukraine and Russia in Pool A at the Centre National de Rugby.
Commenting on selection Bailey said: “We’ve been able to plan well for these two upcoming tournaments and worked hard for the squad to peak at the right time.
“We’re in a really good position having everyone fit and in form going in to two really important competitions for us, so have been able to pick our most-experienced squad this season for Marcoussis. It’s great to be able to blend the experience of our senior players with those in their first year of sevens who have really shown their ability.
“It will be extremely competitive this weekend against high-quality opposition, but we’re in a good place and confident as we head out to France.”
Marcoussis 7s Grand Prix will define the nine teams qualified for the Olympic qualifier tournament to be held in Kazan, Russia on 13 and 14 July and the seedings for this competition.
England Women Sevens squad for Marcoussis
Claire Allan
Holly Aitchison
Abbie Brown ©
Heather Fisher
Deborah Fleming
Megan Jones
Ellie Kildunne
Alex Matthews
Celia Quansah
Helena Rowland
Emma Uren
Amy Wilson Hardy
England’s Pool A fixtures, all times BST, streamed live on Rugby Europe website:
England v Poland KO 11:52
England v Ukraine KO 14:37
England v Russia KO 17:00
Courtesy of the RFU
