Five Wales players in Team GB sevens squads

FIVE Welsh players have been named in Team GB’s Sevens training squads ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, being staged in July and August.

Wales and Bristol Bears wing Jasmine Joyce and her international teammate and Gloucester-Hartpury centre Hannah Jones are included in the women’s initial training squad.

Both are in Wales Women’s Six Nations training squad and face a congested schedule this year with the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in September and October.

Wales Sevens and Ospreys wing

Luke Morgan, sevens specialist Luke Treharne and Scarlets wing/full-back Morgan Williams have been called up to the men’s training squad.

With Sevens programmes across the UK being heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, teams from Wales, England and Scotland are being replaced with Team GB men’s and women’s sides in the HSBC World

Sevens Series this year and the Olympics after funding from the National Lottery.

As well as the initial training squads, it has now been announced there will be an equal pay structure in place.

A statement read: “GB7s will operate a banded pay structure which will give equal opportunities across both the men’s and women’s programmes to be financially rewarded at the same level”.

Women’s head coach Scott Forrest has selected a group of 19 players, with 16 of those having played club rugby in England’s top league. Men’s head coach Tony Roques has named a 21-player group which features a host of sevens specialists.

GB SEVENS SQUADS WOMEN’S:

Jasmine Joyce (Wales), Hannah Jones (Wales), Holly Aitchison (England), Abbie Brown (England), Abi Burton (England), Heather Fisher (England), Deborah Fleming (England), Megan Gaffney (Scotland), Megan Jones (England), Rhona Lloyd Scotland), Alex Matthews (England), Helen Nelson (Scotland), Celia Quansah (England), Chloe

Rollie ( Scotland), Helena Rowland (England), Hannah Smith (Scotland), Lisa Thomson (Scotland), Emma

Uren (England), Amy Wilson-Hardy (England).

MEN’S: Luke Morgan (Wales), Luke Treharne (Wales), Morgan Williams (Wales), Dan Bibby (England), Tom Bowen (England), Phil Burgess (England), Richard de Carpentier (England), Alec Coombes (Scotland), Alex Davis (England), Tom Emery (Coventry), Jamie Farndale (Scotland), Robbie Fergusson (Scotland), Ben Harris (Saracens), Paddy Kelly (Scotland), Ollie Lindsay-Hague (England), Ross McCann (Scotland), Max McFarland (Scotland), Tom Mitchell (England), Will Muir (England), Dan Norton (England), Ethan Waddleton (England).

LIAM WILLIAMS

Saved an early try with super-chilled covering that denied Itoje, then was more alert than anyone as he pounced for a score at the other end. A bad two minutes saw him fail to stop Watson scoring and be charged down but Williams redeemed himself with turnover.

LOUIS REES-ZAMMIT GEORGE NORTH JONATHAN DAVIES JOSH ADAMS DAN BIGGAR

Only two players were wide awake in the run-up to Josh Adams’ try, with Biggar the other. Wonderful awareness and execution from the fly-half with pin-point kick. Taken off after 45 minutes.

KIERAN HARDY REPLACEMENTS ENGLAND REFEREE

Pascal Gauzere (France)

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The look on his face didn’t suggest he was entirely convinced he hadn’t knocked on in the run-up to

Liam Williams’ try, but, hey ho. Stopped an English try with a superb tackle on Elliot Daly and was keen in defence all game. Good chasing, too.

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Started well, achieving a counter-ruck turnover, and followed up with several good hits, including one on

Jonny May that was a potential try-saver. Crowned an efficient effort with a super turnover on Henry Slade near the end. The Test centurion can raise his bat in triumph.

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Few errors, but not that many highlights. There were a couple of decent tackles before was replaced on 51 minutes. Still moving up the gears.

Back from his ban, and back with a bang, scoring the first Welsh try and playing a part in the second with a dink through. Adams also chased hard in a trademark hard-working performance. Welcome back. he

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Will be seeing Itoje in his sleep, with the England lock pressuring him relentlessly early on.

But, wow, did he take his try well, taking full advantage of

8 WYN JONES

Achieved an early turnover and did well enough in the scrums, relishing his battle with Sinckler. Couldn’t prevent Ben Youngs from crossing but overall finished well in credit.

KEN OWENS

If the odd line-out dart went astray, Owens drove strongly with ball in hand and slammed the door shut in defence. A typically grafting shift from the Scarlet.

TOMAS FRANCIS

Unsung, but he’s worth a lot to Wales. Defended with purpose and didn’t buckle against Mako Vunipola in the pushing and shoving game

ADAM BEARD

Picked off an English line-out, safe on his own ball, put in a number of good passes and tackles. Surprisingly subbed on 55 minutes.

ALUN WYN JONES JOSH NAVIDI JUSTIN TIPURIC 7 7 7 6

The captain was at the heart of a famous victory, leading by example, driving hard into contact, thundering into tackles.

While Itoje gave away an abundance of penalties, his

Welsh second-row rival came up with a display of controlled quality.

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Call off the search party. Anyone looking for the Red Wall should search no further. Here it is. Navidi was in the thick of the close-quarter exchanges and didn’t miss a beat in defence. When he features, Wales always play better.

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Waded through a load of the unglamorous work without which no side can function. His defence was impeccable and he grew into the game, having a big second half. One hit on Owen Farrell took the breath away – the England captain would doubtless agree.

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Halaholo for J. Davies (50), Sheedy for Biggar (46), G. Davies for Hardy (64), R. Jones for W. Jones (62), Dee for Owens (62), Brown for Francis (68), Hill for Beard (55) Botham for Navidi (69).

Daly, Watson, Slade, Farrell, May, Ford, Youngs M. Vunipola, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Hill, Wilson, Curry B. Vunipola. Reps: Malins for Daly (74), Robson for Youngs (69) Genge for M. Vunipola (67), Cowan-Dickie for George (60) Ewels for Hill (57), Earl for Wilson (69). Not Used: Stuart, Martin.