28 November 2007

England prepare for Dubai sevens

Since arriving in Dubai on Sunday the England Sevens team have been busy preparing for the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens. The tournament, which kicks off on Friday is just the opportunity for young players such as Baths’ Matt Banahan to show off their skills and earn their first England caps.

Matt has been relishing his sevens experience so far saying, “The team are in good spirits. We trained for the first time in Dubai on Monday which was hard because it was at midday and it was so hot.

“The squad are all getting on really well and we’re all looking forward to Friday, this is our chance to get out there and show our skills.

“I scored a try for my team (Bath) last Saturday against Bristol, which has been a great confidence booster”

Bristol player Anthony Elliott said “Matt called me after the game on Saturday, I was at the airport with the sevens squad ready to go to Dubai, he told me about his try, of course I  was disappointed for my Bristol team mates but I was happy for Matt.

“Since arriving on Sunday morning we have been acclimatising, it is so hot here which makes things a little harder but we are all bonding as a team.”

At today’s (Wednesday) tournament press conference Ben Ryan encouraged players like Banahan and Northampton Saints’ John Brake to rise to the challenge saying, “These are players that have been playing well for their clubs, we have a though pool in Dubai with Tunisia, Canada and South Africa so the players will need to give it their all.”

England play their first match of the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens on Friday 30 November at 12.04pm against Tunisia.

For further information on England Sevens go to www.rfu.com/sevens

Ends