Simon Amor wants another taste of Games glory

England finished sixth in last season’s HSBC Sevens World Series which New Zealand won, highlighting the challenge Amor faces with the Kiwis, South Africa, Fiji, Samoa and Kenya higher ranked.

Amor is bullish about the immediate targets and the former England Sevens captain said: “With the group of players we have, we should be up there at the top of the table. Playing in the Commonwealth Games was a fantastic experience and it is a big target for this squad.

“We have huge potential and the first couple of tournaments in the World Series are vital to ensure that we are not dealing with tough pools because we have started poorly — which is what happened last season.”

Amor played for London Irish, Gloucester and Wasps but made his name in Sevens, helping England win four Hong Kong Sevens titles and that silver in Melbourne.  With Sevens making its Olympic debut in Rio in 2016, there is also the chance for England players to earn places in Team GB. However, Amor said: “That is some way down the line and it’s now about us performing in the World Series and making a real impact.”

Amor, 34, left his post as ­director of rugby at London Scottish to take over from Ben Ryan, who guided the squad to considerable success.

Amor said: “We have put in place, under Ben Ryan, really good foundations and my role is quite challenging because the first tournament is in four weeks’ time and I am still involved  with London Scottish during the changeover. There is huge potential in the England squad.

First class: Chris Cracknell and Michaela Staniford, in the new England kits, at Paddington today for the launch of Heathrow Express as official principal partner of the England sevens rugby team



“Being part of the 2006 Games was amazing. Being involved in a multi-sport occasion is a wonderful experience for any player and  our guys have to perform really well individually to give themselves a chance of being in Glasgow.

“In terms of the global growth of the game, being part of the Olympics is very important and it is already having an effect in terms of playing numbers and my job is to make England Sevens players better. GB selection for the Games is some way down the line.”

Amor’s appointment comes as the Rugby Football Union announced Heathrow Express as the new official principal partner of England Sevens and it will feature on the front of the shirt for the men’s and women’s teams.

The men will wear the jersey for the first time this weekend at the FIRA European Sevens Grand Prix in Bucharest and then in the nine events of the World Series, which kicks off next month in Australia.

Gloucester prop Nick Wood was last night banned for eight weeks for stamping on the head of Saracens flanker Jacques Burger  during last Sunday’s clash at Allianz Park. Wood is suspended from September 18 until November 12.

Heathrow Express, the smarter way to travel between central London and Heathrow, is a proud partner of the Rugby Football Union. Win a VIP trip to watch England play at the Hong Kong Sevens at heathrowexpress.com/rugby

Article source: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1778843/Depleted-Ireland-in-rugby-rout-of-Canada

Simon Amor wants another taste of Games glory