12 June 2005
England Sevens coach Mike Friday believes his new generation of players can mount a realistic challenge for the IRB World Sevens title next season.

The 2004-05 series ended in disappointment in Paris as England went out of the main competition at the quarter-final stages after being beaten by Samoa.

Defeat to South Africa in the Plate final meant they claimed only six points and lost out on overall second place to Fiji, who picked up 16 points after reaching the main final at the Stade Jean Bouin.

New Zealand, who won four of the seven tournaments on the circuit, again topped the rankings with 116 points, with Fiji on 88 and England on 86.

England won the Dubai title, only failed to reach the semi-finals twice – at Wellington and Paris – and were narrowly beaten in the semi-finals of the IRB World Cup Sevens in Hong Kong by champions Fiji.

“Overall this season has been one of transition,” said Friday. “A lot of the old guard have moved on and we’ve introduced a lot of young players to the squad, so in that context we can take a lot of positives away. About nine or 10 new players have been blooded this season.

“But we do set ourselves very high standards and the players should be aiming to go on and win the IRB title. We’ve got the talent and we’ve shown that this season, but only in patches.

“Sevens is still an important development tool for players and that’s visible when you see that five of them are involved in England’s Churchill Cup squad this summer with a couple more on the Lions tour. The clubs recognise the importance of the work we do and we’re grateful for their support next season.”

Friday’s side struggled for rhythm on the final weekend of the campaign with injured captain Simon Amor (Gloucester) featuring in only three of their six games and experienced centre Geoff Appleford (London Irish) also a spectator on the second day.

But the coach has taken encouragement from the performances of players new to the squad this season like Gloucester pair Will Matthews and James Bailey, and London Irish’s Delon Armitage, all of whom scored tries in Paris.

Northampton flanker Andy Vilk made his presence felt in the tackle and scored in each of the pool games, while 19-year-old Leeds debutant Rob Vickerman scored with his first touch against Canada and his second against Portugal.

Sevens veterans Ben Gollings, Tony Roques, Rob Thirlby and Richard Haughton formed the core of the Paris team.

Gollings totalled 59 points at the tournament and is the all-time leading points scorer in the IRB series with 1225; Haughton became the second Englishman to reach the 100-try mark in Sevens; Thirlby’s two bold tries nearly snatched victory against South Africa; and Roques was a powerful influence in defence and attack.

“I have to say I’m disappointed with the overall performance in Paris, though,” said Friday.

“We made too many mistakes against Samoa and the young boys found it a bit difficult to step up.

“Games turn on very small things – like a try we gave away at a lineout against Samoa – and although we got ourselves back in the game, it was a case of us then losing a game we should have won. They fed off our mistakes.

“The positive thing about the tournament is that we’ve been able to give these young players the chance.

“If they can learn lessons from this tournament then it’s all worth it. On the first day and against Australia the young boys did well. Their decision making was clearer in defence and attack and in the way they worked off the ball.

“The biggest disappointment is that in losing the Plate final, we’ve dropped down to third in the overall IRB World Sevens series because of that.

“What these players have to learn is that every moment of every game matters. They’re striving to be full England internationals and that’s about discipline, commitment and consistently high standards.”

England Sevens squad in Paris: Simon Amor (Gloucester), Delon Armitage (London Irish), Geoff Appleford (London Irish), James Bailey (Gloucester), Ben Gollings (Sunnybank, Australia), Richard Haughton (Saracens), Dan Hipkiss (Leicester Tigers), Will Matthews (Gloucester), Anthony Roques (London Irish), Rob Thirlby (Penzance & Newlyn), Rob Vickerman (Leeds Tykes), Andy Vilk (Northampton Saints).