29 November 2007

Guest and Foden ready for Dubai

Tomorrow the Exiles Stadium Dubai, will play host to the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens and see 24,000 fans cheer on their favourite team. For some of this years England players they have already had the Dubai experience but for some this will be their first taste of international rugby and as Harlequins’ Tom Guest explains it’s a very exciting time.

“I’m feeling good, excited. This is my first England Sevens experience, the atmosphere in camp is really positive and everyone is in good spirits ahead of tomorrow. Training here has been different from what I’m used to in the fifteen game and I have never trained in somewhere as nice as Dubai, it’s been great.

“My parents are coming over to support me, my cousin lives here so they will all be there to cheer me on.

“Everyone in the team is already close, I didn’t know any of the other players before I came out here so we have all bonded really quickly and we have a laugh and a joke together. This experience has already been a brilliant learning curve.”

Captain Andy Vilk and his Sale Sharks team mate Ben Foden should know what to expect tomorrow, they are the only two out on this seasons 12-man squad to have played in Dubai before. Ben has already noticed one or two of his team mates who will be ready to make their debut tomorrow but if they need any encouragement they could ask Ben, what exactly sevens has taught him.

“Things you learn in sevens is something that you can take back to your club” Said Ben “You learn things from both, there’s things you will learn in sevens that will help with your fifteen game and vice versa. Sevens is great for teaching you to play international rugby under pressure, your playing for your country which is a great honour and you are playing against some of the best players in the world so you have to perform.

“Matt (Banahan) is one on those unique people who’s got size, strength and speed. I’ve played against him a few times and he plays good rugby. Earlier on in the season Sale played against Bath and he scored a good try in the corner, he’s a great player and it’ll be interesting to see what he can do out here.”

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

Ends

Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens – pool fixtures (local times)

30/11/2007 12:04  England   V   Tunisia
30/11/2007 17:00  England   V   Canada
30/11/2007 19:56  South Africa   V   England