Former North Midlands back row forward James Rodwell has been included in England’s squad for the Rugby Sevens at the Commonwealth Games on Australia’s Gold Coast.
Rodwell, who played for North Midlands at Under-20s and senior level while he was a student at Birmingham University and at Moseley, is England’s most-capped Sevens International.
Rodwell won an Olympic silver medal in Rio two years ago and is one of six players in England’s squad who competed in the last Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The team includes seven members of Team GB who picked up silver medals at the Rio 2016 Olympics and six players who competed at Glasgow 2014 with two of those also representing Team England at Delhi 2010. Rodwell will be appearing in his third Commonwealth Games.
England are drawn in Pool B and will face Jamaica, Samoa and Australia on Saturday April 14.
“We’ve been fortunate enough to have a six World Series tournaments in which to work the guys, and for them really to fight for these spots,” said Team England head coach Simon Amor.
“What’s been most pleasing has not only been our progress in terms of how we’re looking to play and change our style of game, but also to get to this point half way through the year with pretty much everyone fit to pick from barring Tom Bowen.
“This has been great for the selection but has created a real challenge for me as a coach to pick a final twelve.
“We know how tough Samoa will be and Jamaica, on the back of the Hong Kong World Series qualifier, will have nothing to lose when we face them in our first game.
“Additionally, the opportunity to go to Australia, to play in a Commonwealth Games in a country that’s so passionate about sport, and to have them in our pool will be brilliant.
“They’ve been a really great side so far this season and we’ve managed to be successful in the two times that we have played them this year, and I think the opportunity to play them in front of their home fans there will be a great experience for everyone.”
Team England Sevens squad for 2018 Commonwealth Games:
Dan Bibby
Phil Burgess
Alex Davis
Richard de Carpentier
Mike Ellery
Harry Glover
Ollie Lindsay-Hague
Ruaridh McConnochie
Tom Mitchell ©
Dan Norton
James Rodwell
Ethan Waddleton
13th man: Charlie Hayter