New England head coach Simon Middleton will be in charge of the team for the first time in Atlanta, after the departure of Barry Maddocks in October last year.

Maddocks led England to a second-place finish in the Sevens World Series last season, but his side put on a disappointing show at the Sevens World Cup in Moscow last summer finishing sixth.

Following Maddocks' departure, James Cooper and Susie Appleby took charge of the side during the first round of the World Series in Dubai in November, where England won the Plate competition, leaving them in fifth position on the overall rankings.

Middleton has named Richmond's Abigail Chamberlain as captain for the upcoming round in Atlanta on February 15 and 16 and also welcomes back experienced players Danielle Waterman and Heather Fisher, while Chamberlain's club mate Claire Allan has been handed the vice-captaincy.

"This is a really exciting squad with players of real quality throughout," said Middleton, who will be hoping to help his side defend the USA Sevens crown they won in Houston last year.

"Some of it is raw talent, players like Emily Scott and Amy Wilson-Hardy for example, and they'll continue to learn a lot from experiences like this while it is also fantastic to welcome back the likes of Danielle and Heather.

"I think Abi [Chamberlain] and Claire will also play a significant role as they have a lot to offer this squad in terms of experience and leadership."

Richmond's Abigail Chamberlain will captain an England side looking to win in the United States for the second year running ©Getty Images




Natasha Brennan, Francesca Matthews, Sarah McKenna, Leanne Riley, Lydia Thompson and Sally Tuson complete the England squad who face a tough challenge in Pool B, especially in the form of reigning World Series and World Cup champions New Zealand.

While the English would be expected to overcome the Netherlands, they face a much sterner challenge from neighbours Ireland, who have also named their squad for Atlanta.

As qualification for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games begins to come into focus, Irish head coach Jon Skurr will take a youthful looking squad across the Atlantic with a view to building up experience that will stand them in good stead as they attempt to secure a spot in Rio.

Seven of the squad will be making their international sevens debut including Aoife Doyle, Megan Williams, Nicola Cronin and Susan Vaughan, while Aisling Naughton, Elaine Ryan and Laura Walsh have come through the Irish Rugby Football Union's (IRFU) talent identification programme.

"A lot of hard work has gone in to get us to this point so far," said Skurr, who saw his side pick up two points last time out in Dubai.

"It's a big year for Irish women's rugby, there's a lot going on and one of our jobs is to extend the player base that we've got, so that we've got more people competing, which is why our talent identification process is so important.

"We've got a number of new caps going.

"It's going to be tough, but I feel we're really going to progress as the season goes on as these players develop their ability to play international rugby at the top level."

Ireland and New Zealand will square-up again in Pool B in Atlanta ©Getty Images



Christine Arthurs, Claire Keohane, Laura O'Mahony, Niamh Ni Dhroma, Nikki Caughey and Siobhan Barrett will also line-out at the Fifth Third Bank Stadium where they will be captained by Shannon Houston.

"It is so exciting and such a privilege to represent Ireland on the international stage," said Houston.

"Taking part in the World Series is daunting but we know that by working together and working hard that we can take on anyone."

Dubai winners Australia will be looking to continue their good form at Kennesaw State University, and they have been drawn in a tricky looking Pool A with China, Canada and hosts the United States.

Russia, who stand third in the series rankings, take on Japan, Brazil and Spain in Pool C.

Following the action in Atlanta, the third leg of the series moves on to São Paulo, Brazil on February 21 and 22.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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