Said Ryan, “This squad shows the mix England is looking to select. Our experience comes with Gollings and Vilk as well as Simon Hunt who is the only player to have played over ten IRB World Series tournaments.

“Our youth and development is provided by the bulk of the squad notably five of the current U20 squad. Our average age is under 22 and these are the next generation that will benefit hugely by playing in such a massive event. It shows sevens is part of the process to develop players for England’s future senior squads and the emergence of Danny Care (Harlequins), Ben Foden (Sale Sharks), Matt Banahan (Bath Rugby) and Tom Guest (Harlequins) from this season’s squad show we’re another aid for improvement within the elite game.

“For me sevens is part of our overall strategy to get the best out of our young players and together with age group excellence, premiership academies and the Saxons, sevens is often part of that package to accelerate and achieve more England players ready to step into regular premiership action and beyond.

“Hong Kong is an awesome event, I know I have a side that will crawl off the field for England. This group will give their all for the cause and although we go into this tournament as huge underdogs everyone here is determined to do the white shirt and the red rose justice.”

England Sevens squad for IRB World Sevens Series

Hong Kong and Adelaide:

Kevin Barrett (Exeter)
John Brake (Northampton Saints)
Noah Cato (Saracens)
James Collins (Worcester Warriors)
Matthew Cox (Worcester Warriors)*
Anthony Elliott (Bristol Rugby)
Jonathan Fisher (London Irish)*
Ben Gollings (Sunnybank)
Simon Hunt (Ebbw Vale)
Chris Mayor (Sale Sharks)
Andy Vilk (Sale Sharks, captain)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)*

*denotes uncapped for England Sevens

The Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens take place on the 28, 29 & 30 March followed by the Adelaide Sevens on the 5 & 6 April.

Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens Pool fixtures:

March 28 – England v Canada, KO 8:38pm (local time, GMT+8)
March 29 – England v Sri Lanka, KO 11:58am (local time, GMT+8)
March 29 – Samoa v England, KO 6:34pm (local time, GMT+8)

Adelaide Sevens Pool fixtures:

April 5 – Fiji v England, KO 11:09am (local time, GMT+9.5)
April 5 – England v Kenya, KO 2:37pm (local time, GMT+9.5)
April 5 – England v France, KO 5:21pm (local time, GMT+9.5)

For more information and to follow England’s progress visit www.rfu.com/sevens

Ends