- Royal Navy and Harlequins wing Josh Drauniniu returns to England Sevens action this weekend
- England Sevens look to boost their IRB World Series tally ahead of the Emirates Airline London Sevens
Josh Drauniniu returns to England Sevens action this Friday at the Adelaide Sevens (March 19-21).
The Royal Navy and Harlequins wing is included in Ben Ryan’s squad for the first time this season after making his electrifying debut in Dubai 2008 where he scored a try against Portugal.
Drauniniu is the only change in Ryan’s pack which includes speedsters Christian Wade (London Wasps) and Dan Norton (Bristol Rugby). And Ben Gollings (Gold Coast) retains the captaincy in the absence of the injured Kevin Barrett (Saracens).
England are currently in fourth place in the IRB standings behind Fiji, Samoa and New Zealand respectively and go to Adelaide before heading to Hong Kong next weekend to try to boost their tally before their home event, the Emirates Airline London Sevens on May 22 & 23.
England Sevens Head Coach, Ben Ryan said, “It’s fantastic to have Josh back, his experience and class will add to an evolving squad with Ben Gollings as captain, who is playing some of the best rugby of his career.
“It will take a big effort for us to get ahead of the three teams in front but anything is possible. The real hard work starts in Adelaide on Friday.”
England Sevens squad for Adelaide and Hong Kong
Jake Abbott (Worcester Warriors)
Donald Barrell (Saracens)
Chris Brightwell (Bedford)
Dan Caprice (Blackheath)
Josh Drauniniu (Royal Navy & Harlequins)
Ben Gollings (capt, Gold Coast, Australia)
Oliver Lindsey-Hague (Harlequins)
Tom Powell (Cambridge)
James Rodwell (Moseley)
Nick Royle (Fylde)
Mat Turner (Bristol Rugby)
Christian Wade (London Wasps)
Adelaide Sevens fixtures:
March 19, England v USA, kick off 12.20pm local time (GMT+10.5)
March 20, England v Niue, kick off 4.27pm local time (GMT+10.5)
March 20, England v Australia, kick off 9.10pm local time (GMT+10.5)
Hong Kong Sevens fixtures:
March 26, England v Hong Kong, kick off 5.58pm local time (GMT+8)
March 27, England v Japan, kick off 2.10pm local time (GMT+8)
March 27, England v Wales, kick off 6.34pm local time (GMT+8)
Watch England Sevens in action on May 22 & 23 at the Emirates Airline London Sevens, their only home tournament on the IRB Series. Tickets are available from £10 at the RFU.com ticket office.