Games pools pit England against Aussies

ENGLAND have discovered their groups for the 2018 Commonwealth Games Sevens in the Gold Coast in Australia.

The men’s team have been drawn in Pool B along with Australia, Samoa and Jamaica.

Meanwhile, the women’s side have also been placed in Pool B and will face Australia, Fiji and Wales.

The matches will take place at the 27,500-capacity Robina Stadium across three days of competition between April 13-15.

England’s men finished fifth at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, while this is the first year that the women’s competition will take place.

Only the teams who finish top of the four pools will advance to the semifinals and play off for medals.

“Having seen the draw it’s a pretty tough one but we’re really excited about it,” said head of England Sevens Simon Amor.

“I recall from my own Commonwealth Games in 2006 when we played Australia that it was one of the best atmospheres that I can remember playing in, so we’re really looking forward to that game.

“Samoa are also a really great, physical and tough team so that’ll be another fantastic challenge and we’ll relish the opportunity to play against a Jamaican team that we don’t know a lot about.”

England Women Sevens head coach James Bailey added: “We are extremely excited to be in a really competitive pool and the opportunity to play the host nation is going to be an incredible experience.

“With Fiji who are an exciting team as well as our close neighbours Wales, it’s a strong pool with a lot of World Series experience.”