Scotland gamble pays off as Bennett lands Rio selection
DESPITE fewer than two months preparation with his squad, Team GB head coach Simon Amor was a confident man on Tuesday when he finalised his selction.
Seven weeks of preparation is all that has been afforded the squad after political manoeuvrings among the unions, with Scotland’s Mark Bennett the most established 15-a-side player involved.
Wales wing Corey Allen missed out, while Marcus Watson, brother of England wing Anthony, and James Davies, brother of Wales centre Jonathan have been included. Harlequins Ollie Lindsay-Hague is the fourth from the 15s game, all of whom have a Sevens background.
Amor said: “It’s been a very big challenge compared to the rest of the opposition, but it’s a challenge we’ve known about since the start.
“The quality of the squad we’ve got is very, very good. We’ve got a great blend and balance of Sevens specialists with huge World Series experience, to guys in the 15-a-side who have had Sevens experience previously and are world class in their own right.
“The challenge for us now in a short space of time is can we gel those combinations? The 12 we’ve got are very special.” Great Britain play a New Zealand side including twotime World Cup winner Sonny Bill Williams in the pool stage but Amor will not be casting a jealous glance. He is thrilled with the squad assembled and wished he could have called upon more names from the initial 25-man group. Amor, left, said: “We don’t look enviously at anyone. We’re about ourselves. It’s a very special group of guys. I can’t quite put into words how well they’ve been this past six, seven weeks.
“In an ideal world we would’ve taken 20 people plus to Rio. It was that close on so many calls.
“We’ve picked who we think are the best combinations to go up against the best of the world in New Zealand, South Africa, Fiji.”
Bennett admits he took a risk in choosing a shot at the Olympics over Scotland’s summer tour to Japan and is delighted that it has paid off.
The 23-year-old Glasgow Warriors centre said: “I couldn’t do both the Olympics and the tour to Japan. That wasn’t an option.
So, yes, it was one I had to weigh up. It was a risk to come here but I’m absolutely delighted it paid off. I can’t wait to get going now.
“Scottish Rugby were really supportive of me. They said it was up to me and they would support me either way. The decision was made and that was that.”
Bennett is joined by another Scot in Sevens specialist Mark Robertson, with Sam Cross a second Welshman, taking the non-English contingent to four.
Tom Mitchell is captain of a squad featuring James Rodwell, who set a world record earlier this year after playing in 69 consecutive World Series events, and Dan Norton, the series’ fourth-highest leading scorer of all time.
Mitchell said: “I am incredibly proud to have the opportunity to represent Team GB and to lead this group of boys, we have worked so hard to be at this point, not just in the last six weeks but over the years.
“The chance to showcase our event to the world and represent Team GB while we do it is something very special. I wasn’t expecting to react the way I did – when Simon told me I was in the squad, and that he wanted me to captain it, I didn’t have any words and am still trying to let it sink in.”
It will be the first time in 108 years that Team GB have had representation in rugby at Olympic level and a first for the Sevens format.
Team GB chef de mission, Mark England, said: “It’s great to welcome rugby back into the Olympic family and announce our first squad of players in the sport for more than a century.
“The Olympic Games represent a lifetime of dedication in the pursuit of excellence and I wish them all the best. Let’s bring home a new generation of heroes to inspire the nation.”
The men’s competition takes place from August 9 to 11 with Kenya, Japan and New Zealand the pool stage opposition for GB.