Northampton Saints - News : Vilk and Lewitt called up to Commonwealth Games England sevens squad

28 February 2006, 11:14 am

Vilk and Lewitt called up to Commonwealth Games England sevens squad

Vilk in action for England earlier this season

Northampton Saints� duo Andy Vilk and Ben Lewitt have been called up for the England sevens travelling squad for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. The Commonwealth Games Council for England announced its 15-man squad today which contains a balance of experienced sevens players including Dan Luger, Magnus Lund and Ben Gollings and some of the exciting youngsters who have earned selection through impressive performances so far this season. England sevens captain Simon Amor will lead the side.

The squad depart for Australia on Sunday, March 5, and will be reduced to the 12-man playing squad prior to the tournament, which begins in Melbourne on Thursday, March 16.

England sevens coach Mike Friday said: "I am really pleased with the squad we are taking. The Commonwealth Games will be one of the biggest occasions in these players� lives and it was incredibly hard to just choose 15 players. The squad sees a few of the more experienced players return to the fold including Magnus Lund, Ben Lewitt and Richard Haughton.

�Magnus played England Sevens in the 2002/03 season and will bring strength and experience to the side. Simon (Amor) is an inspirational captain and only Simon, Ben Gollings and Henry Paul have experienced a Commonwealth Games before so I will be looking to them to lend their experience to the youngsters,� he added. �I truly believe that this squad includes some of the future stars of England Rugby and this experience will be an integral part of their player development.

On Vilk and Lewitt, Friday said: �Andy is a player who is at the top of his form right now. He came to the game quite late but has come on incredibly quickly. He seems to come up with the big tries in the big games and really steps up to the occasion. He is meticulous in his preparation as a player both on and off the field and I am certain this experience will benefit him as a player."

�Ben played England sevens as a young man in Singapore and Malaysia and is a talented sevens player. He has been making good headlines at Northampton this season and I am delighted to have him in the squad.�

�It is important to remember that this is the 15-man travelling squad. Only 12 players can be selected for the games so there is still everything to play for in terms of earning their place in the team.�

The 15-man squad for the Commonwealth Games is:
Simon AMOR (Gloucester) captain
Danny CARE (Leeds Tykes)
Ben GOLLINGS (Sunnybank, Australia)
Richard HAUGHTON (Saracens)
Dan LUGER (unattached)
Magnus LUND (Sale Sharks)
Nils MORDT (London Irish)
Ben LEWITT (Northampton Saints)
Henry PAUL (Gloucester)
Ben RUSSELL (Saracens)
David SEYMOUR (Saracens)
David STRETTLE (Rotherham)
Mathew TAIT (Newcastle Falcons)
Tom VARNDELL (Leicester Tigers)
Andy VILK (Northampton Saints)