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| 23 July 2003, 3:47 pm |
| Young England Enter Middlesex 7S |
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The RFU has accepted an invitation to enter a Young England side in the 2003 London Pride Middlesex 7s. The specially-formed invitational side will be coached by the England 7s coach Joe Lydon and will comprise of up and coming young players.
While the full England squad focuses on the World Cup, it will be a great opportunity for some of the younger talent to show their skills. The squad will include players who have played in the recent FIRA U19 and U21 World Cup competitions as well as other players developing through the regional academies. It will also give the opportunity for players not currently attached to Premier Rugby clubs to stake a claim for selection in the England 7s squad for the 2003/04 IRB World Series.
Northampton Saints have entered a strong squad for the event, captained by club stalwart Nick Beal and featuring six full internationals.
Lydon said he was looking forward to the event and he is more aware than most that the 7s game has become a real opportunity to introduce the younger players to top level rugby.
"The London Pride Middlesex 7s is a great day in the rugby calendar and the invitation sides add real interest and excitement to the event. I am looking forward to working with and assessing players in both the Young England squad and other teams participating in the event ahead of finalising selection to either the England core or wider 7s squad for the forthcoming IRB WSS," he said.
The England 7s team recently finished as runners up in the IRB World 7s Series behind newly crowned world champions New Zealand, including winning the England leg of the tournament in front of 25,000 fans at Twickenham.
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