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Great Britain have put forth two high-quality sides in their bid for Olympic glory in Rio de Janeiro next month. As expected, each side is predominantly made up of English players, with only a select few from Wales and Scotland included and none from Northern Ireland.
Tom Mitchell captains the men’s selection that includes four players who played Aviva Premiership or Guinness Pro 12 rugby this past season. Glasgow Warriors centre Mark Bennett, Scarlets flanker James Davies, and utility backs Ollie Lindsay-Hague of Harlequins and Marcus Watson of Newcastle Falcons are all included. Each have previous experience on the HSBC Sevens Series.
Davies represents Wales on the team as well as forward Sam Cross, while Bennett and Mark Robertson are Scotland’s lone selections. The remainder of the team play for England.
Outstanding aerial specialist James Rodwell has recovered from a serious knee injury suffered at the Singapore tournament in April to make the side. Dan Bibby is another back from injury, but there is no place for Luke Treharne. The Wales captain and playmaker is a surprise omission with Lindsay-Hague preferred, though Treharne will travel with the side as an injury reserve along with Ruaridh McConnachie.
England’s 2014 World Cup star Emily Scarratt will lead the women’s side that is composed almost entirely of her country-mates with the exception of Welsh speedster Jasmine Joyce. The team looks at full strength with international stars Heather Fisher, Danielle Waterman, and Katy McLean all present. Kay Wilson and Megan Jones, also from England, have been named traveling reserves.
Both the men and women have been drawn in Pool C of their respective competitions. The men will face off against New Zealand, Kenya, and Japan, while the women collide with Canada, Brazil, and Japan in the opening stage.
GREAT BRITAIN MEN’s 7s
Mark Bennett, Dan Bibby, Phil Burgess, Sam Cross, Alex Davis, James Davies, Ollie Lindsay-Hague, Tom Mitchell (capt.), Dan Norton, James Rodwell, Mark Robertson, Marcus Watson
GREAT BRITAIN WOMEN’s 7s
Claire Allan, Abbie Brown, Heather Fisher, Natasha Hunt, Jasmine Joyce, Katy McLean, Alice Richardson, Emily Scarratt (capt.), Emily Scott, Danielle Waterman, Joanne Watmore, Amy Wilson-Hardy
