Rugby Football Union - England set sights on success in Singapore Sevens

England set sights on success in Singapore Sevens


	Mike Friday photo by Getty Images

Wednesday 30th March 2005
The England Sevens squad travel to Singapore next month in the next leg of the IRB Sevens and face pool matches against Kenya, Hong Kong and Scotland. England Sevens coach Mike Friday is keen to use this first tournament to re-establish England as one of the leading sevens teams in the world, following the disappointing semi final loss in the recent Rugby World Cup Sevens.

"Everyone involved in the sevens set up was so disappointed with our loss in the World Cup, particularly when we played so well in the semi final against Fiji. But we have to put the past behind us. There are still three tournaments left to play in this year's series. New Zealand may be out in front on points but England are determined to close the gap by consistently performing well in the remaining three tournaments."

England are currently in fourth position in the IRB Sevens points table behind New Zealand, Fiji and Argentina and Friday is keen to finish the season on a high. "Singapore is always a tough place to play rugby as the weather is normally very humid. Having won at our home tournament at Twickenham last season, we will be keen to repeat our success and make our home crowd proud, before travelling to Paris for the final tournament. There is still everything to play for - that's what's so good about sevens, that tournaments are always unpredictable and anything can happen."

Friday will name the squad of 12 players to travel to Singapore shortly.

England are seeded second in Singapore, behind first seeds New Zealand. The tournament is played on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th April 2005.

Pool B:
England
Scotland
Kenya
Hong Kong