England Sevens Coach, Joe Lydon, has announced the squad to play in the third leg of the IRB Sevens 2003/04 in Wellington, New Zealand, on Friday February 6th and Saturday February 7th.
Joe Lydon said "I've been delighted, to date, with the performances from the team. The tournament win in George, South Africa, made amends for our semi-final defeat in Dubai and we currently share the leader board with New Zealand and South Africa. Although we have a long way to go our aim is to go one better than our second placed, overall finish, last year but we will face tough competition throughout the remainder of the series.
"New Zealand remain a huge threat and South Africa continue to make progress in Sevens year on year. Argentina are arguably the most improved side this season and their joint second place, with the always dangerous Fijians and Samoans, reflects the positive steps they are making.
"We would obviously like to reach the final in Wellington, as we did last year but our aim has to be to win it, which will be even more difficult with the superb home support New Zealand can expect from their fans. Our pool group includes Australia and the rapidly improving Kenyans, who to date in the 2003/2004 series have scored more tries than Samoa and Canada. Papua New Guinea is the fourth team in the group.
"The squad is also looking forward to playing for the first time in the USA in Carson City, Los Angeles on February 14th and 15th. We've drawn the USA in our pool group along with Samoa and Trinidad & Tobago. With the USA playing in front of a home crowd and Samoa capable of beating anyone on their day we can expect a tough route to the knockout stages."
England Sevens Squad for Wellington
Simon Amor (Captain ) Gloucester
James Brooks Northampton Saints
Phil Dowson Newcastle Falcons
Ben Gollings Newcastle Falcons
Richard Haughton Saracens
Dan Hipkiss Leicester Tigers
Magnus Lund Sale Sharks
Ugo Monye NEC Harlequins
Nils Mordt London Irish
Tom Rees London Wasps
Tony Roques Saracens
Rob Thirlby Penzance & Newlyn
Key Stats
England lead the try scoring count from the first two legs with 60 tries, an average of 5.5 per match. New Zealand are second with 59 and South Africa third with 51.
In the individual categories, Ben Gollings (Newcastle Falcons) leads the points table with 127, 39 ahead of second placed Earl Rose of South Africa who went past the 700 point career mark in George, South Africa. Ben also occupies joint top position with Kenya's Oscar Osir Osula with 13 tries scored this season. Rob Thirlby (Penzance & Newlyn) is next with 12, 3 of which came in the final, in George South Africa against New Zealand.