Watmore back in England squad
England 7s head coach Simon Middleton has recalled Richmond's Jo Watmore to the England squad for the first time since she was ommitted for behaviour reasons last September.
Published by Alison Donnelly, May 30th, 2014
3 minute read
Watmore last played for England at the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow
Watmore, recognised as one of the world's best finishing 7s players, has been selected for next week's first leg of the FIRA/AER Sevens Grand Prix in Moscow (June 7-8).
Abi Chamberlain will captain the side which includes three uncapped players. The likes of Chamberlain, Natasha Brennan, Sarah McKenna and Amy Wilson-Hardy, who have played on this season's World Series, will provide the experience for newcomers such as Abigail Brown, Sydney Gregson and Sophie Lee.
Middleton said: "As the XVs Rugby World Cup nears, we are using this tournament as an opportunity to give some of our younger, up and coming players some invaluable experience in top level rugby.
“At the same time, this is also a chance for some of our players who have appeared on the Sevens World Series the chance to step up and take on a more senior role. It is also encouraging to welcome Joanne back to the squad and we look forward to seeing how she fairs after a year out from international rugby.”
England, who finished fourth in the Sevens World Series behind New Zealand, Australia and Canada, will play Ireland, Portugal and Belgium in the pool stages before hoping to tackle the knock out rounds on Sunday.
Middleton added: “Obviously we are going into this tournament looking to do as well as we can. It would be great to win it but the most important thing is that we can use this series as a development tool for our sevens squad. These could be players who are integral to our World Series challenge next season.”
Round two of the FIRA/AER Grand Prix takes place in Brive on June 14-15.
England
Natasha Brennan (Richmond)
Abigail Brown (Hartpury)
Abigail Chamberlain (Richmond) C
Hannah Field (Richmond)
Sydney Gregson (Bristol)
Sophie Lee (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
Francesca Matthews (Richmond)
Sarah McKenna (Saracens)
Leanne Riley (Saracens)
Emily Scott (Thurrock)
Joanne Watmore (Richmond)
Amy Wilson-Hardy (Bristol)
FIRA/AER Moscow Playing schedule:
Saturday June 7
England v Belgium, KO 7:22 BST
England v Portugal, KO 10:22pm BST
England v Ireland, KO 2:28pm BST
Sunday June
TBC