The England men’s and women’s sevens squads for the Toulouse tournament (20-22 May, Stade-Ernest Wallon and live on www.World.Rugby) have been named.
Drawn in Pool A, England men take on Canada, Japan and Argentina.
The squad is formed from a mix of Premiership, university and core contracted sevens players.
Tom Emery is set for his first England Sevens outing since March 2020 after impressing in recent camps.
Alex Davis captains the side while Hayden Hyde returns following his England Sevens debut in Spain in January.
The south of France tournament is the penultimate event before England men compete on home soil at Twickenham in the London 7s (28-29 May). Tickets are available here.
Head coach Tony Roques said: “We’re really looking forward to this weekend’s tournament in Toulouse and to be back on the World Series.
“There have been some really tough selection calls and I’m pleased with the balance of the team and really excited to see how they go.
“It’s great to have Tom Emery back. Tom impressed for GB Sevens last year and has now recovered from a shoulder injury. He has trained well in recent weeks and earned his spot.
“We’ve worked hard on areas we feel we need to improve on and can’t wait to get going on Friday.”
England men sevens squad for Toulouse
Jamie Adamson
Jamie Barden
Api Bavadra
Tom Bowen
Blake Boyland
Joe Browning
Max Clementson
Alex Davis (C)
Tom Emery
Will Homer
Hayden Hyde
Calum Randle
Freddie Roddick
Pool A schedule
Friday 20 May
England 7s v Canada 7s – 13.28 local time/12.28 UK time
England 7s v Japan 7s – 20.08 local time/19.08 UK time
Saturday 21 May
Argentina 7s v England 7s – 13.50 local time/ 12.50 UK time
Meanwhile, women’s head coach James Rodwell is set to hand Exeter Chiefs and England U20 international Maisy Allen and Loughborough Lightning’s Jessica Weaver their England Sevens debuts.
Abbie Brown captains the group while Worcester Warriors’ Jade Shekells, and DMP Durham Sharks’ Lauren Torley return after earning their first caps in Langford last month.
Drawn in Pool C, England take on Ireland, France and Brazil.
Rodwell said: “After a very tight turnaround from Langford where a number of players went back to play for their clubs in the Allianz Premier 15s it’s another opportunity for the group to pull on an England shirt in Toulouse for the final tournament of the season.
“Maisy Allen has really impressed since coming in in January and has been brilliant in camp. It’s great she has the opportunity to pull on an England shirt and we’re excited to see what she can do.
“Jess Weaver is another new cap. She’s been in with the wider squad since January and this is her opportunity to perform on the World Series. She has great energy and pace around the set piece and at nine. We’re excited to see what the new debutants can do.
“Unfortunately we lost Grace Crompton over the weekend so Georgina Tasker replaces her within the squad who featured in the first two legs of this calendar year in Spain. We’re excited to see her get back in the shirt.
“This tournament is vital for our preparation for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. It’s all about learning and growing on and off the field for this young group. It’s about building for the future.”
England women sevens squad for Toulouse
Maisy Allen
Ellie Boatman
Abbie Brown (C)
Abi Burton
Alicia Maude
Isla Norman-Bell
Jodie Ounsley
Jade Shekells
Georgina Tasker
Lauren Torley
Emma Uren
Jessica Weaver
Amy Wilson Hardy
Pool C schedule
Friday 20 May
Ireland 7s v England 7s – 11.20 local time/10.20 UK time
England 7s v France 7s – 21.07 local time/20.07 UK time
Saturday 21 May
Brazil 7s v England 7s – 10.58 local time/ 09.58 UK time
With thanks to England Rugby
