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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:03:29:13:17:00 by Kath..

ENGLAND Sevens welcome back familiar faces for the Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens on March 27-29.

Dan Bibby, Phil Burgess, Dan Norton and Marcus Watson return after missing the last leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series in Las Vegas.

Former England Under 18 international Josh Watkins joins up with the squad alongside Worcester Warriors team mate Richard de Carpentier who comes in as a late replacement for the injured John Brake.

In a tough pool England face a strong Welsh outfit on Friday (10:10am GMT) before taking on Kenya (3:12am GMT) and USA (8.42am GMT) on day two.

England currently sit fifth in the standings, three points behind nearest rivals Australia in fourth.

Head Coach Simon Amor said: “It is great to welcome back a number of experienced players, Dan Bibby, Phil Burgess, Dan Norton and Marcus Watson. They were part of the squad who reached the final in Hong Kong last year and, even though they have had limited game time recently, their understanding of the tournament will be valuable for the young and new players such as Tom Bowen and Charlie Hayter.

“It is exciting to include Josh Watkins, a young and talented player, who will develop through the opportunity of playing in such an incredible tournament. We are continuing to build relationships with professional clubs in England and are very grateful to Worcester Warriors for releasing him and Richard de Carpentier to us. John Brake’s injury required a late change and we are delighted that Richard will be able to build on his recent experience from Wellington and Vegas.

"The history and prestige that come with the Hong Kong event make it very special. The crowd is wonderful, they offer a really big lift for the players with a huge cheer when they run into the stadium. I know the players really thrived off that last year and we are very much looking forward to getting back out there.”

England Sevens squad for Hong Kong

Dan Bibby
Tom Bowen
Phil Burgess
Richard de Carpentier (Worcester Warriors)
Alex Gray
Charlie Hayter
Tom Mitchell, captain
Dan Norton
James Rodwell
Josh Watkins (Worcester Warriors)
Marcus Watson
Jeff Williams

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England Sevens edge past Wales in Hong Kong


Tom Mitchell scored one of England's four tries

England Sevens edged past Wales 26-19 in an exciting opening game at the Cathay Pacific /HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.

Dan Bibby, Tom Mitchell and Phil Burgess all touched down in the first half but Wales scored two of their own to create the seven point margin. A quickly taken penalty by James Rodwell extended England’s lead before Wales grabbed a third mid-way through the second half.

England’s pool stage challenge continues tomorrow against Kenya (3:12am GMT, Sky Sports 1) and USA (8.42am GMT, Sky Sports 3).

Captain Tom Mitchell said: “The atmosphere here in Hong Kong is incredible and the first game can often be difficult, adjusting to everything that is going on. We didn’t stick to our game plan the way we intended and as result let Wales take advantage. There were some strong individual performances in attack - a few lads are playing here for the first time and it was good to see them stepping up.

“As the first team to kick off we have the chance now to get back to the hotel, have some food and regroup ready to come back stronger tomorrow.”

Wales dominated the first few minutes of possession which they turned into a 7-0 lead through Rhodri Williams. Momentum changed when quick footwork allowed Dan Bibby to split the Welsh defence and burst down the middle, touching down under the posts. Mitchell converted to equalise.

A chip and chase by England’s captain created their second, but missed tackles proved costly as Luke Morgan broke down the wing to cross in the corner. Two minutes later the action was all in the opposite corner with Burgess showing good strength to drive over. Mitchell again added the additional two points to take a 19-12 half time lead.

Minutes into the second half England earned a penalty deep in Welsh territory. With a quick tap Rodwell skirted round the Welsh defence to dive under the posts for his 77th World Series try. Despite electric running from Marcus Watson England were unable to turn their attacking play into points and with Morgan claiming a second, the whistle eventually put an end to a tense final few minutes.

James Rodwell scored England's second against Kenya

England will play Fiji in the quarter finals of the Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens tomorrow (kick off 3.58am GMT, Sky Sports 1) after finishing runners up in their pool.

Despite coming from behind three times in a scintillating game of end to end rugby, the group decider between England and the USA finished all square, 21-21.

England beat Kenya 17-7 earlier today and edged Wales last night 26-19, but USA were the stronger side on points difference.

Head Coach Simon Amor said: “It was a fantastic game against the USA and I’m sure the crowd loved it. I am really pleased with the heart the players showed and how we kept on battling.

"It is disappointing because we had a few opportunities to win the game but our decision making wasn’t quite sharp enough at critical moments. To get the draw certainly isn’t the end of the world and we can look forward to building on it tomorrow.

“Fiji are really in form at the moment, they are reigning champions from Las Vegas so it will be a big challenge. Last time we played them we managed to turn them over so we know the type of game plan we will want to execute and, if we get that right, we can get the result we need.’

Electric running from Perry Baker gave USA a 7-0 lead before Jeff Williams burst through their defence and, with the conversion from Tom Mitchell, levelled the scores.

USA again nudged ahead, this time through Maka Unufe, but with a darting run Mitchell showed great speed and awareness to go the length of the field and ensure the teams were level at half time.

Both Unufe and Williams claimed their second tries after the break to take the score to 21-21. England were awarded a penalty with minutes to go and, with the USA down to six men, they had the opportunity to clinch victory, but the line of blue defence did just enough to hold out for the draw.

Against Kenya, Tom Bowen and James Rodwell put England 10-0 ahead in the first half but Collins Injera reduced the gap and took his World Series try tally to an impressive 192. Phil Burgess showed good footwork to stay in field despite pressure from the Kenyan defence and with Mitchell converting, with two minutes left to play, the additional seven points secured the win.

England Sevens were knocked out of the Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong 7s in a compelling plate semi-final against a physical Australian side.

A late Tom Mitchell try took the score to 12-7 but it was little consolation for England who experienced a tough day of competition.

Margins were tight against Fiji in this morning’s cup quarter final as the packed crowd were treated to a heart racing encounter which saw England pushing for the line into the closing seconds but it finished 14-12.

Head Coach Simon Amor said: ‘We’re disappointed with the result and the performance against Australia. We played with plenty of heart and determination, which we have shown throughout the tournament, but our accuracy wasn’t quite there, particularly in attack.

“I have been pleased with the work we have done in the contact, we have made a good step forward there. So many of the games now are very close and that’s why I’m proud of the players, right the way through these last three tournaments, if we have lost matches it has only been by a conversion or a try so we are getting there, we just need to get on the right side of those results. A number of guys were playing their first competitive rugby for several months and they will really have benefited from this tournament as we head into Tokyo next weekend.”

Captain Tom Mitchell said: “It has been close between us and Australia all season and it is disappointing to have let those scores in, but I am really pleased with the way the guys fronted up particularly in the contact area, we really showed our strength there. We just didn’t get our attack up and running like we wanted to and we need to go back and look at that ahead of next week.

“There was some superb sevens played in the Fiji game and by the volume of the crowd I know they have enjoyed the games today. There is massive support for England at this tournament, we can hear when the fans are excited and can draw on that, it is a real privilege to play here. We would just love to have delivered more for them. We are so proud to do the job that we do, to play for the guys here, the shirt and those at home.”

Strong running by Ed Jenkins gave Australia a 7-0 first half lead. Both teams battled hard at the breakdown and quick ball created aggressive attack. But just as England were beginning to build momentum, captain Jenkins struck again. An outside break by Jeff Williams lifted his side and eventually Mitchell broke through the relentless Australian defence but time was up.

Against Fiji, England dominated possession for the first five minutes and despite a Phil Burgess try, it was Fiji who were 7-5 ahead at the break after Tuwai Vunisa darted under the posts in stoppage time.

A penalty try was awarded to Fiji following the restart after it was deemed Dan Norton had not released Samisoni Viriviri just short of the line. Minutes later Norton was joined in the sin bin by Semi Kunatani, sent for a high tackle on Burgess.

Alex Gray went close before Marcus Watson picked his way through the Fijian defence to set up Norton and reduce the gap to 14-12 with 14 minutes gone on the clock. The crowd were on the edge of their seats and hearts were pounding as England continued to press for the line but as was the theme of the day, time was against them, and by the narrowest of margins Fiji progressed into the cup semi final.

Australia went on to lift the plate, beating USA 21-17. Fiji will play New Zealand in the cup final.