Commonwealth Games 2014: England sevens squad see Glasgow as stepping ...

“It is important for our group that we just concentrate on the first game of

our first tournament and we go from there,” said Amor, who succeeded Ben

Ryan as England’s head coach last September.

“If we do our very best and that puts us in good place come future tournaments

and when decisions are made, then fantastic. But deep down has to be about

the here and now.”

Amor knows all about the unique challenge of the Commonwealth Games, having

won a silver medal as a player with England in 2006, two years after being

named the International Rugby Board World Player of the Year.

He says the key for his squad is to enjoy the special atmosphere of the Games

while ensuring that does not distract from their mission.

“The World Series is a wonderful event but the Games are very different,” Amor

added. “Firstly you are part of a bigger Team England, and having

experienced it myself, you get to feed off the success of other sports

within your team.

“At the same time the distractions are far greater. There are world-class

athletes everywhere and the enormity of the athletes’ village and the

overall occasion will be amazing to be part of but can also be distractions.

The mental challenge is much greater for the group than the World Series.”

Commonwealth Games 2014: England sevens squad see Glasgow as stepping ...