Great Britain’s women’s rugby sevens team is set for a boost with the return of experienced players Heather Cowell, Abbie Brown, and Grace Crompton to the HSBC Sevens Series. Brown, 29, will take on the role of co-captain alongside Katie Shillaker, who has been a consistent presence in all four tournaments this season.
Cowell and Crompton, who are teammates with Shillaker at Harlequins, have seen limited playtime in the Premiership Women’s Rugby competition this year. Currently, Great Britain Women find themselves at the bottom of the HSBC Sevens Series standings, facing tough competition as they are placed in Pool A alongside New Zealand, France, and Japan for this weekend’s tournament.
On the men’s side, the squad also sees significant changes. Ryan Apps returns, joined by Finlay Callaghan, Roan Frostwick, Matt Davidson, and Josh Radcliffe. After a prolonged injury absence, Jake Henry is set to make his comeback, while Glasgow Pro Academy player Ben Salmon will make his Great Britain debut in British Columbia. The men’s team, eager to improve their standing, is in a challenging Pool A that includes South Africa, New Zealand, and Spain.
Ciaran Beattie, Great Britain 7s Director of Rugby, expressed optimism as the teams gear up for their upcoming matches. He highlighted the inclusion of Olympic experience, noting its potential impact in enhancing performance. Beattie acknowledged the tough start for the women’s team but emphasized their progress and development. Additionally, he looks forward to Jake Henry’s return and the debut of Ben Salmon, underscoring the excitement surrounding the team’s journey as they prepare for the World Championships in Hong Kong.