Suggestions that England’s current rugby 7s squad – which includes Wendover star James Rodwell – will be replaced on the eve of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games by any of Stuart Lancaster’s full side have been dismissed this week.
After making his England debut against the US in Dubai in 2008, it has been onwards and upwards for Rodwell, who has become the most capped England 7s forward of all time.
The 28-year-old started his rugby career with Tring RFC and Berkhamsted Collegiate School and has established himself as a key part of the England set-up.
But with the likes of Chris Ashton and Owen Farrell both expressing an interest to play in the Rio Olympic Games, Rodwell’s teammate Jonathan Joseph, who is a member of Lancaster’s RBS 6 Nations squad, insists England boss Ben Ryan has already got the right ingredients to challenge for silverware.
“Sevens in this country is going places – it is great to see and Ben Ryan has everything in good shape for Rio and the Olympic Games,” said Joseph.
“I know Ben Ryan has got his squad system in place and he likes the set-up they have now and fair play, because they train so hard for it now and their fitness levels are amazing, so it would be quite hard to compete with that.
“You can never say never, can you, so I wouldn’t rule it out but it wouldn’t just be a two-week commitment and the current squad have certainly earned their chance to play in Rio.” Joseph insists the likes of Rodwell and the rest of his England 7s team are well-placed to compete and challenge for silverware at the Rio Olympic Games.
“I think the men were a bit worried before jetting off to New Zealand but the boys played really well and showed they had nothing to worry about,” he added.
“Hopefully they can build on that and really push on but with someone like Ben Ryan at the helm I am sure they will do exactly that because they have done a great job so far.”
Jonathan Joseph is representing the
England team for Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Official partner of the RFU. Marriott Hotels & Resorts is giving away a two night break in Europe every time England score a try in the RBS 6 Nations. Go to Facebook.com/ MarriottHotelsUK for more details
