Victoria Fleetwood part of new look England Sevens squad for Russia tourney
Monday 8 June 2015 11:49, UK
Victoria Fleetwood could make her first England Sevens start after being included in Simon Middleton's squad for the Rugby Europe Grand Prix in Russia.
Fleetwood has 49 full England caps but is one of five players named in Middleton's 12-strong squad for the tournament in Kazan who have not been involved in the Sevens squad this season.
Francesca Matthews, Lydia Thompson, Abbie Brown and Heather Fisher are also new members of the squad, which will be captained by Richmond's Abigail Chamberlain.
Claire Allan, Alexandra Matthews, Emily Scott, Rachael Burford, Sarah McKenna and Leanne Riley complete the squad after being a part of the side that secured automatic qualification for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio through the World Sevens Series.
England will face Germany, Wales and the Netherlands in their pool games, with Germany and the Netherlands battling it out with their European counterparts to secure a place at next summer's tournament in Brazil.
Middleton said: “This tournament is an opportunity for us to look at some exciting players outside of our Sevens programme as well as provide some more game time to players who are in the squad.
"Vicky, for example, is a seasoned XVs international player, but it will be great to see her in a competitive sevens environment. It is also fantastic to welcome Fran, Emily and Heather back into the squad as they have missed a lot of rugby through injuries this season.
"We play Germany in the opening game and we are expecting them to be a very organised side, while Wales will certainly want to give England a typically tough game. The Netherlands, meanwhile, are an experienced Sevens outfit who’ll be intent on securing that all important Olympic spot."
Squad: Claire Allan (Richmond), Francesca Matthews (Richmond), Lydia Thompson (Worcester), Alexandra Matthews (Richmond), Rachael Burford (Thurrock), Sarah McKenna (Saracens), Abigail Chamberlain (Richmond), Abbie Brown (Bristol), Leanne Riley (Saracens), Emily Scott (Thurrock), Heather Fisher (Thurrock), Victoria Fleetwood (Saracens).
