Since he was appointed England Sevens coach in October last year, Joe Lydon has dedicated the last three months to building and developing a squad who can compete with the top five Sevens sides in the world.

After three legs of the IRB World Sevens Series (the first leg originally scheduled in Dubai was cancelled for security reasons) Joe Lydon can look back at some good results. To date England have beaten Australia (twice), Samoa and South Africa, reached two Plate finals (for those teams knocked out in the quarter finals of the main competition) and achieved their best ever finish as semi-finalists, in Durban.

However, Lydon acknowledges that there is a lot of work still to be done. "I’m reasonably happy with the progress we’ve made so far but we’re still some way from pushing the top two sides, New Zealand and Fiji really hard. Both countries place a huge emphasis on Sevens and it’s a culture we must aspire to. The RFU are giving us a great deal of backing and we’re confident that progress will continue to be made.

"I am learning a lot about the structure, demands and requirements of Sevens Coaching and what is needed in order to compete and achieve success. The Manager of the squad, John Elliott, has been a huge help to me during this process. I’ve also had a good platform to build on after some good work by my predecessor, Adrian Thompson last year."

"As expected there’s been a degree of compromise between us and the clubs regarding player release but we appreciate that a number of clubs are chasing their own targets and objectives with the Zurich Premiership title, Cups and relegation at stake. However, as I’ve said before nothing is done in isolation anymore and I’m confident that there will be more continuity in the squads we pick as we progress through the season, which will help narrow the gap with the higher ranked sides."

Lydon is however delighted with the progress made by a number of players during the series so far. "Ben Gollings and Pat Sanderson of NEC Harlequins, the latter captaining the side in Durban, Josh Lewsey, London Wasps, Rob Thirlby of Bath, James Simpson-Daniel and James Forrester of Gloucester have all impressed and complimented the work carried out by the other members of the squad. They are all learning from the Sevens experience and I believe that it will benefit their long term development within the game."

The ultimate target this season for Lydon and the Sevens squad remains the Commonwealth Games in Manchester. The Sevens tournament closes the games on August 4^th and he recognises the importance of a good performance. "Our target is a medal but we will be going for gold. We should have a very strong squad with Lawrence Dallaglio and Jason Robinson expected to be available. The Games has changed the focus, role and standing of the ‘Sevens’ within the RFU.

"I also think that there is a realisation that Sevens, if used as a true development tool, can be an important and integral part of the elite player pathway. A good showing at the Commonwealth Games is vital so that we can continue to develop the Sevens game in England."

One thing the Sevens don’t have at the moment is a sponsor. "Planning and promotion must start now but in truth the only thing that will sell the Sevens to a wider audience is a successful squad and that’s what we are determined to achieve."

England are taking part in the Wellington and Brisbane legs of the IRB World Sevens Series on February 8^th/9^th and February 15^th /16^th respectively."