Twenty players, who will make up the England Women’s Sevens squad this coming season, have been awarded central contracts from the Rugby Football Union starting in September 2014. England Women Sevens players awarded professional contracts

Twickenham and 'The Stoop' will play host to an IRB Women’s Sevens World Series tournament in the upcoming 2014/15 season.  The International women’s event will run in conjunction with the Marriott London Sevens held at Twickenham next May.   The majority of the matches will be played at the Harlequins’ home ground on Friday 15 May with the final and third and fourth playoffs hosted at Twickenham on Saturday 16 May.

Jon Callard has been appointed the new National Performance Academy Manager & International Performance Coach, moving from his previous role as one of the RFUs International Performance Coaches.

He will primarily be working with the England Under 20 side, as well as players who have recently graduated from the Under 20 programme and into the Saxons.

Callard said “I’m delighted to take on this role in what is an exciting time for English rugby. I see it as an extension of my current position and the opportunity to continue developing English talent is a real honour. The player pathway has really established itself over the last few years, and while I will be working closely with the Under 20s and the players just out of the programme, it’s imperative to keep tabs on the talent coming through below that too.”

Callard will assume the new role on 1st September.

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