With pre-season training
well underway for the 2017-18 Aviva Premiership, this weekend sees the
traditional 7s curtain-raiser at Franklin’s Gardens. This seasons new format
has all 12 teams compete over two evenings of high pace action, similar to the
HSBC International 7’s circuit, with a bowl, plate & cup final taking place
on Saturday evening. This tournament has become a real platform for some of the
teams to display their future stars alongside some 7’s specialists to create a
highly skilled & exciting competition.
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| The action begins live on BT Sport 1, Friday 28th at 5:45pm |
Pool A
Newcastle Falcons
The Falcons send a youthful squad with a number of academy contracted players, hoping to reach the heights of their 2011 outing when they defeated Saracens in the final at the Stoop.
Cameron Cowell – Having been with the England senior 7s squad over the summer, Cam Cowell will create excitement with his electric pace, he will bring real quality 7’s experience to the Falcons side.
George Wacokecoke – The powerful young Fijian, who has had experience with a number of premiership academies, is looking to ground himself with Newcastle. Expect to see him carrying hard and leaving defenders trailing in his wake.
The Falcons send a youthful squad with a number of academy contracted players, hoping to reach the heights of their 2011 outing when they defeated Saracens in the final at the Stoop.
Cameron Cowell – Having been with the England senior 7s squad over the summer, Cam Cowell will create excitement with his electric pace, he will bring real quality 7’s experience to the Falcons side.
George Wacokecoke – The powerful young Fijian, who has had experience with a number of premiership academies, is looking to ground himself with Newcastle. Expect to see him carrying hard and leaving defenders trailing in his wake.
Leciester Tigers
Tigers have a mixture of youth and experience with a number of internationally recognised 7’s players alongside players from their new link with Loughborough University.
Andrew Boyce – Captain of the Loughborough University side that were narrowly beaten in the BUCS Super Rugby Final. The explosive back-row will be hoping to catch the eye of Leciester coaching staff
Tom Ffitch – The England academy 7’s player will be part of the experienced core of the Leicester squad that will challenge defences and create space out wide for players to utilise.
Tigers have a mixture of youth and experience with a number of internationally recognised 7’s players alongside players from their new link with Loughborough University.
Andrew Boyce – Captain of the Loughborough University side that were narrowly beaten in the BUCS Super Rugby Final. The explosive back-row will be hoping to catch the eye of Leciester coaching staff
Tom Ffitch – The England academy 7’s player will be part of the experienced core of the Leicester squad that will challenge defences and create space out wide for players to utilise.
Wasps
It appears Wasps have misread the invitation to the 7s tournament and have named a very strong senior side who are the stand out favourites to win the competition.
Marcus Watson – The Olympic silver medallist is set to make his debut for Wasps having signed from Newcastle. He will provide important 7s knowledge to an explosive backline, as well as his own fancy footwork.
Christian Wade – The easiest selection as ‘one-to-watch’. Last season’s Aviva Premiership top try scorer and plenty of 7’s experience too. Expect his name to be on the scoresheet again and again.
It appears Wasps have misread the invitation to the 7s tournament and have named a very strong senior side who are the stand out favourites to win the competition.
Marcus Watson – The Olympic silver medallist is set to make his debut for Wasps having signed from Newcastle. He will provide important 7s knowledge to an explosive backline, as well as his own fancy footwork.
Christian Wade – The easiest selection as ‘one-to-watch’. Last season’s Aviva Premiership top try scorer and plenty of 7’s experience too. Expect his name to be on the scoresheet again and again.
Pool B
Gloucester
Gloucester have taken the opportunity to demonstrate their highly talented and exciting academy prospects, with plenty of age-grade international experience, expect quality performances.
Harry Randall – The starting scrum-half at England U20’s, in a position where competition is rife. He is a real bright spark for Gloucester & England in the future. Expect him to excel in this format of the game.
Mason Tonks – Having played a big part in Gloucester’s U18 season last year, and having since picked up experience with England 7’s, the powerful runner will be a real weapon for Gloucester.
Gloucester have taken the opportunity to demonstrate their highly talented and exciting academy prospects, with plenty of age-grade international experience, expect quality performances.
Harry Randall – The starting scrum-half at England U20’s, in a position where competition is rife. He is a real bright spark for Gloucester & England in the future. Expect him to excel in this format of the game.
Mason Tonks – Having played a big part in Gloucester’s U18 season last year, and having since picked up experience with England 7’s, the powerful runner will be a real weapon for Gloucester.
Harlequins
Much like Gloucester, Quins also have given many of their academy prospects the chance to show off their talent. Quins are always highly professional when it comes to 7s competitions.
Gabriel Ibitoye – A familiar name to those who follow England U20’s. The try scoring winger frequently uses his pace & power to trouble defences. He wont miss opportunities if they come his way.
Jonas Mikalcius – A powerhouse of Lithuanian winger. As a more senior member of the squad, and with some crucial 7s experience already, expect to see him causing havoc for tacklers.
Much like Gloucester, Quins also have given many of their academy prospects the chance to show off their talent. Quins are always highly professional when it comes to 7s competitions.
Gabriel Ibitoye – A familiar name to those who follow England U20’s. The try scoring winger frequently uses his pace & power to trouble defences. He wont miss opportunities if they come his way.
Jonas Mikalcius – A powerhouse of Lithuanian winger. As a more senior member of the squad, and with some crucial 7s experience already, expect to see him causing havoc for tacklers.
London Irish
Irish will be delighted to be back facing Premiership opposition having been promoted from the Championship. They complete the pool of clubs with exciting academy talent on show at Franklins Gardens.
Ben Loader – One of Irish’s new academy players will be hoping to show his power and skill in front of the coaches. Having been one of the standout players in Irish U18 group, the 7’s game should give him the opportunity to excel.
Ollie Hassell-Collins – Like Ben Loader, another young exciting academy prospect on the Irish production line. The winger is likely to make the most of his nimble footwork and pace to make an impact.
Irish will be delighted to be back facing Premiership opposition having been promoted from the Championship. They complete the pool of clubs with exciting academy talent on show at Franklins Gardens.
Ben Loader – One of Irish’s new academy players will be hoping to show his power and skill in front of the coaches. Having been one of the standout players in Irish U18 group, the 7’s game should give him the opportunity to excel.
Ollie Hassell-Collins – Like Ben Loader, another young exciting academy prospect on the Irish production line. The winger is likely to make the most of his nimble footwork and pace to make an impact.
Pool C
Sale Sharks
Sale have recently highlighted their commitment to their academy players with a number of long term contracts. Several of these players make up their squad for 7s tournament.
Paolo Odogwu – One of the stars of last season’s tournament with 8 tries from just three games. Expect more of the same as he has embedded himself in Sale’s senior squad and is ready to shine.
Nic Dolly – Having played an important part in Sale’s successful U18 side last season, he was selected to join England U18 too. He is one of the academy players who have committed to a 5 year contract.
Sale have recently highlighted their commitment to their academy players with a number of long term contracts. Several of these players make up their squad for 7s tournament.
Paolo Odogwu – One of the stars of last season’s tournament with 8 tries from just three games. Expect more of the same as he has embedded himself in Sale’s senior squad and is ready to shine.
Nic Dolly – Having played an important part in Sale’s successful U18 side last season, he was selected to join England U18 too. He is one of the academy players who have committed to a 5 year contract.
Bath Rugby
Bath have a mixture of youth players from Bath University and guest players from various sections of the armed forces, hoping to combine dynamism and power to a youthful squad.
Levi Davis – The winger has represented Bath in the A-league on a number of occasions, as well as playing for Bath University. His powerful running will combine well with those from the armed forces.
Sikeli Rokovunicagi – Likely to be a forced to be reckoned with. The Army are known for creating some of the most dangerous and explosive 7’s players on the circuit, and this could be the next one.
Bath have a mixture of youth players from Bath University and guest players from various sections of the armed forces, hoping to combine dynamism and power to a youthful squad.
Levi Davis – The winger has represented Bath in the A-league on a number of occasions, as well as playing for Bath University. His powerful running will combine well with those from the armed forces.
Sikeli Rokovunicagi – Likely to be a forced to be reckoned with. The Army are known for creating some of the most dangerous and explosive 7’s players on the circuit, and this could be the next one.
Worcester Warriors
Worcester also combine some powerful academy back-row players with some vital 7s experience to create an entertaining squad.
Max Stelling – Adding 7s experience to the Worcester squad from his time with England on the HSBC 7’s circuit, his flair and ability is likely to create space out wide.
Will Butler – Another of the England U20 stars on show at the Singha 7’s. The electric centre has both the physical ability and rugby brain that can prove vital in the 7s competition, there are high hopes for this young player.
Worcester also combine some powerful academy back-row players with some vital 7s experience to create an entertaining squad.
Max Stelling – Adding 7s experience to the Worcester squad from his time with England on the HSBC 7’s circuit, his flair and ability is likely to create space out wide.
Will Butler – Another of the England U20 stars on show at the Singha 7’s. The electric centre has both the physical ability and rugby brain that can prove vital in the 7s competition, there are high hopes for this young player.
Pool D
Northampton Saints
Home advantage could prove useful to a Saints side full of academy graduates and current academy prospects. A mixture of youth and experience might prove key.
Jamie Elliot – One of the more senior members in the side with over 100 appereances for Northampton at just 24 years of age. The centre will be keen to prove himself as injuries in the last two seasons have hampered progress.
Ollie Sleightholme – Following in his father, Jon’s, footsteps into high quality rugby. With 7’s experience, including a silver medal for England at the recent Commonwealth Youth Games, he has the makings of a talented player.
Home advantage could prove useful to a Saints side full of academy graduates and current academy prospects. A mixture of youth and experience might prove key.
Jamie Elliot – One of the more senior members in the side with over 100 appereances for Northampton at just 24 years of age. The centre will be keen to prove himself as injuries in the last two seasons have hampered progress.
Ollie Sleightholme – Following in his father, Jon’s, footsteps into high quality rugby. With 7’s experience, including a silver medal for England at the recent Commonwealth Youth Games, he has the makings of a talented player.
Saracens
Saracens strength in depth is undeniable, and it extends right through their academy. Their squad contains a mixture of promising youth and experienced 7s players.
Tom Whiteley – The young flyer has already proven himself on the 7s stage at Rosslyn Park, where he has also turned out for their senior side. Expect his skills to be on show as he fights for places in the Saracens squad.
Matt Gallagher – The England U20’s full-back is yet another from the talented pool of young England backs. The Academy Player of the Year at Saracens is a very high accolade indeed, and the 2015 winner will be sure to show off his pace and skill this weekend.
Saracens strength in depth is undeniable, and it extends right through their academy. Their squad contains a mixture of promising youth and experienced 7s players.
Tom Whiteley – The young flyer has already proven himself on the 7s stage at Rosslyn Park, where he has also turned out for their senior side. Expect his skills to be on show as he fights for places in the Saracens squad.
Matt Gallagher – The England U20’s full-back is yet another from the talented pool of young England backs. The Academy Player of the Year at Saracens is a very high accolade indeed, and the 2015 winner will be sure to show off his pace and skill this weekend.
Exeter Chiefs
Current Aviva Premiership champions and runners up in last year’s 7s competition, Exeter will hope to go one better with a mix of university, academy and first team talent.
Max Bodily – A nimble winger who played a part in Exeter’s run to the Anglo-Welsh final last season. With an eye for the tryline, he’ll be hoping to impress and break in to the first team squad this season.
Tom O’Flaherty – Exeter’s new signing from the Ospreys. The winger, described by Rob Baxter as having ‘bags of potential’, will be hoping to impress the boss and get off on the right foot for his new club.
Current Aviva Premiership champions and runners up in last year’s 7s competition, Exeter will hope to go one better with a mix of university, academy and first team talent.
Max Bodily – A nimble winger who played a part in Exeter’s run to the Anglo-Welsh final last season. With an eye for the tryline, he’ll be hoping to impress and break in to the first team squad this season.
Tom O’Flaherty – Exeter’s new signing from the Ospreys. The winger, described by Rob Baxter as having ‘bags of potential’, will be hoping to impress the boss and get off on the right foot for his new club.
