England Women Sevens squad named for Hamilton

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Head coach Charlie Hayter has named his 13-player England women sevens travelling squad for the HSBC New Zealand Sevens [25-26 January].

The group are boosted by the return of Sydney Gregson and Ellie Kildunne following lengthy injury lay-offs and both are in line for their first appearances of the series.

Meanwhile, Saracens’ Georgie Lingham also comes in following strong performances in the London club’s Tyrrells Premier 15s campaign to date and Helena Rowland is also back for the FMG Stadium Waikato tournament.

Emma Uren and Celia Quansah both miss out due to injury.

England take on Fiji and China in Pool A as well as the hosts in a rematch of the quarter-final in Cape Town after they were edged out in extra time by the Black Ferns.

Hayter said: “We’re really excited to be heading over to Hamilton.

“We’re delighted to have Ellie and Sydney back. They’ve both worked tirelessly on their rehab programmes and it’s a real boost to have them available for selection and back with the group.

“Georgie Lingham has had a fantastic start to the season and we’re pleased we’ve been able to bring her in and grateful to Saracens for releasing her.

“It’s also the first time Hamilton has been included on the women’s series and we’re looking forward to the trip and developing further as a group both on and off the field.”

Squad list

Abbie Brown (C)
Abi Burton
Heather Fisher
Deborah Fleming
Sydney Gregson
Megan Jones
Ellie Kildunne
Georgie Lingham (Saracens)
Alex Matthews
Jodie Ounsley
Helena Rowland
Beth Wilcock
Amy Wilson Hardy

Schedule

Saturday 25 January/Friday 24 January [local time/GMT]
v Fiji Women 7s [Pool A – 10.58am local time/21.58pm GMT]

Saturday 25 January
v New Zealand Women 7s [Pool A – 16.58pm local time/03.58am GMT]

Sunday 26 January/Saturday 25 January
v China Women 7s [Pool A – 10.13am local time/21.13pm GMT]