England suffer in Paris Sevens - but it is still not all over yet!
Sunday 28th May 2006
The Paris Sevens is beginning to have a reputation for upsets galore as IRB Sevens leaders Fiji and second placed England both lost in the Cup quarter finals today. Fiji's early exit opened the way for England, who trailed ten points behind Fiji in the series, but for the first time all season the Australians beat England 27-17. Fiji went onto win the Plate competition but it is still mathematically possible for England to go on and win the series for the first time next weekend at Twickenham. However, it will take an improved performance from the squad, plus a certain amount of luck with other results, to achieve one of their remaining aims of the season. Fiji are now 14 points ahead of England but South Africa, who went on to win the cup final, are also just eight points behind England.
England's squad struggled to find their form all tournament and were knocked out of the plate competition by Argentina 14-12. Speaking after the tournament, England Sevens Coach Mike Friday said, "We are absolutely gutted. This is the harshest of lessons and everyone is extremely disappointed. We were given a perfect opportunity and yet some of the players didn't step through the door that was opened for them. At this level it is all about how you execute your core skills and we showed some terrible errors on this front and we got destroyed."
England had a 10-0 lead on Australia in the quarter finals but ended up losing 27-17. Friday said, "We threw a very comfortable lead on Australia away. I feel most sorry for the youngsters who have been part of the squad all season and who are really learning the harsh side of international rugby right now."
Looking ahead to next weekend, Friday said, "There is still a slim chance of us winning the series but we have to recognise how slim it is. We have to go out there next weekend and win the tournament. The players are taking a good, hard look at themselves right now. We are all hurting right now but we have to recover and build ourselves back up for next weekend. They have to go out there in front of a home crowd and put some pride back into the red rose."
Cup Quarter final:
England 17
Australia 27
Tries - Russell, Vilk, Thirlby
Conversion - Gollings
Plate semi final:
England 12
Argentina 14
Tries - Vilk, Hipkiss
Conversion - Gollings
England Sevens squad:
Simon Amor (Gloucester), James Bailey (Gloucester), Ben Gollings, Richard Haughton (Saracens), Danny Hipkiss (Leicester Tigers), Will Matthews (Gloucester), Ollie Phillips (Newcastle Falcons), Ben Russell (Saracens), David Seymour (Saracens), David Strettle (Rotherham), Rob Thirlby (Gloucester), Andy Vilk (Northampton Saints).
England now travel to London ahead of next weekend's Emirates Airline London Sevens. Tickets are priced from just £10 and are available from Ticketmaster on 0870 902 0000.
Ends.
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