Eight players to make Commonwealth Games debuts for England Sevens rugby team
Last Updated: 21/07/14 3:22pm
England Sevens head coach Simon Amor has named his squad for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow later this month.
Eight players will make their Games debuts, while John Brake, Dan Norton, Tom Powell and James Rodwell add experience having played in Delhi in 2010.
Amor has largely kept faith with the same group that finished third in the London Sevens in May - the final event of the Sevens World Series - with eight players keeping their places.
Brake and Mike Ellery have both recovered from injuries in time to be selected while Tom Mitchell continues as captain.
It is a unique experience in a very different environment from the one the players are used to on the world circuit.
Simon Amor
Charlie Hayter, who recently signed for England Sevens from Wasps, and London Scottish captain Mark Bright, win their places after impressive performances in the first two rounds of the European Grand Prix series.
"The squad selected has a very good balance of speed, playmaking ability, physicality and the all-important X-factor," Amor said.
"With players returning from long-term injuries the competition for places has been particularly strong.
Attitude
"This has raised the performances in training and the attitude throughout the team has been excellent. We will be looking to bring the experiences and progress made throughout the Sevens World Series to Glasgow."
Amor hopes the chance to be part of a larger team within Team England will boost his side in Scotland.
"It is a unique experience in a very different environment from the one the players are used to on the world circuit," he added.
"You feed off other sports' successes, see other athletes there and the sheer scale of the village and the competition make it a wonderful occasion."
Mitchell said: "Glasgow 2014 has been on the horizon for a long time and we've been working hard towards this one goal for a while.
"The event will be a totally new experience for all the boys and that comes with its own challenges, which we recognise and are prepared for.
"It is a huge opportunity to mix with other sports and it will be great to see how other athletes operate and to learn from them."
England Sevens squad: Daniel Bibby, John Brake, Mark Bright, Philip Burgess, Michael Ellery, Charlie Hayter, Christian Lewis-Pratt, Tom Mitchell (capt), Dan Norton, Tom Powell, James Rodwell, Marcus Watson
