Andy Vilk, Dan Bibby and Mark Odejobi in England Sevens squad for season finale
England have named former captain Andy Vilk and newcomer Dan Bibby in a 14-man squad preparing for the final two legs of the HSBC Sevens World Series.
Former Northampton Saints, Sale Sharks and Treviso flanker Vilk, 30, led England in the 2007-08 season and has been training with the squad this term while playing under Neil Back at Rugby Lions.
He is joined by uncapped playmaker Bibby, who has appeared for England Students and UWIC this season; Isoa Damudamu will be available again after this weekend’s Army v Navy contest, and experienced sevens campaigner Simon Hunt is also in the group preparing for the Glasgow Sevens (May 5-6) and the Marriott London Sevens (May 12-13).
Two players in the 12-man squad at last month’s Tokyo Sevens miss out. Captain Greg Barden this week announced his retirement from the game, while playmaker Christian Lewis-Pratt needs surgery on a shoulder injury.
England are fourth in the series rankings but looking for a strong finish to the campaign in Glasgow and London, which drew a world record weekend crowd of 100,094 to Twickenham last year.
The squad reassemble in London this week and Head Coach Ben Ryan will name the 12-man group and a new captain before they depart for Glasgow on Wednesday.
Ryan said: “We’re sorry to lose Greg, who’s been a great competitor for us over the years, and we wish him well and Christian a speedy recovery from his shoulder operation.
“It’s great to be able to give Andy Vilk and Dan Bibby the opportunity to push for places going into the final two rounds of the series in a very competitive training group.
“Andy knows the sevens scene well and he’s been training with us for much of the season, as has Dan, who is still a student at UWIC but a talented guy who was player of the tournament for Sale Sharks at last year’s JP Morgan Premiership Sevens.”
Mark Odejobi has also been added to the England Sevens squad preparing for the final two legs of the HSBC Sevens World Series.
The former London Wasps and England Under 20 wing comes into the 14-man group for the Glasgow Sevens and Marriott London Sevens after Isoa Damudamu withdrew through injury.
Damudamu dislocated a kneecap playing for the Army in Saturday’s Babcock Trophy win against the Royal Navy at Twickenham.
Odejobi, a student at Brunel University, appeared in the Las Vegas, Hong Kong and Adelaide legs of last season’s HSBC Sevens World Series and has trained with England this term after recovering from Achilles injury.
England face Kenya, the USA and Australia on the opening day of the Glasgow Sevens on May 5-6 before the season finale at the Marriott London Sevens on May 12-13.
England Sevens: Dan Bibby (UWIC), John Brake, Chris Brightwell, Chris Cracknell, Sam Edgerley (Rosslyn Park), Simon Hunt, Tom Mitchell (Oxford University), Dan Norton, Mark Odejobi (Brunel University), Tom Powell, James Rodwell, Mathew Turner, Rob Vickerman, Andy Vilk (Rugby Lions).
England Sevens: Dan Bibby (UWIC), John Brake, Chris Brightwell, Chris Cracknell, Sam Edgerley (Rosslyn Park), Simon Hunt, Tom Mitchell (Oxford University), Dan Norton, Mark Odejobi (Brunel University), Tom Powell, James Rodwell, Mathew Turner, Rob Vickerman, Andy Vilk (Rugby Lions).
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