Thursday 12 May 2016 23:58, UK
Glasgow Warriors centre Mark Bennett and Wasps scrum-half Joe Simpson have been named in a 25-man Team GB Sevens training squad for the Rio Olympics.
The 25 players, who include a combination of Sevens specialists and 15-a-side players from England, Scotland and Wales, will gather on May 30 for a seven-week intensive training period involving a programme of four international competitions.
Dan Norton, the World Rugby Sevens Series' fourth highest leading try scorer of all time, headlines the 19 Sevens specialists chosen, alongside England captain Tom Mitchell and Wales captain Luke Treharne.
There are six 15s players in the squad with Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), James Davies (Scarlets), Ollie Lindsay-Hague (Harlequins) and Marcus Watson (Newcastle Falcons) joining Bennett and Simpson.
Head coach Simon Amor explained he was especially keen for the 15s players he selected to have some past Sevens experience.
Amor said: "We have watched a significant amount of footage throughout the season of 15-a-side players and every Sevens game from England, Scotland and Wales.
"Exciting talent was available to us and competition for places was tough. We're now really looking forward to bringing this group together as one team and creating an incredible Great Britain spirit.
"For the 15s players aiming to make that transition, recent sevens experience at the top level was important given how much the world of sevens rugby has progressed in the last three to four years.
"We were also targeting players in certain key positions to add strength in depth and complement the qualities of the specialists we already have."
With Sevens included in the Olympics for the first time the 12 places in Team GB will be announced together with the women's squad on 19 July.
Great Britain Sevens training squad: Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors), Dan Bibby (England Sevens), Tom Bowen (England Sevens), Phil Burgess (England Sevens), Sam Cross (Wales Sevens), James Davies (Scarlets), Alex Davis (England Sevens), Richard de Carpentier (England Sevens), Jamie Farndale (Scotland Sevens), Alex Gray (England Sevens), Charlie Hayter (England Sevens), Warwick Lahmert (England Sevens), Ollie Lindsay-Hague (Harlequins), Gavin Lowe (Scotland Sevens), Ruaridh McConnochie (England Sevens), Tom Mitchell (England Sevens), Luke Morgan (Wales Sevens), Dan Norton (England Sevens), Scott Riddell (Scotland Sevens), Mark Robertson (Scotland Sevens), James Rodwell (England Sevens), Joe Simpson (Wasps), Luke Treharne (Wales Sevens), Marcus Watson (Newcastle Falcons)
