Gollings is the all-time leading points scorer on the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Series tour and will be assisted by Team Leader Salty Thompson, head coach of the USA Rugby Boys High School All-Americans.

Gollings, scorer of 2,652 points from 70 tournaments representing England, retired from the sport in 2011 and had a spell in charge of the Sri Lankan national side but left the role last summer after they missed out on qualifying for the 2013 World Cup Sevens in Moscow.

The Commonwealth Games silver medallist announced his retirement after the Rugby Football Union (RFU) decided not to offer him a new contract despite his desire to appear at Rio 2016 when the sport is due to make its Olympics debut.

"The Youth Olympic athletes will be in very capable hands," said Alex Magleby, USA Rugby national development director for the men's Eagles Sevens.

"Ben, as head coach of the boys team, is obviously a renowned sevens expert and has done good work to date as head of the Serevi Rugby Academy coaching and getting to know young American athletes.

"It's also exciting to have Salty as a coach and Team Leader, as he has years of proven success developing high school athletes for future international honours."

USA rugby sevens players in Nanjing will be hoping to emulate the exploits of Carlin Isles who has starred for the national side in this season's Sevens World Series ©Getty Images




USA Rugby events operations manager Kellie Cavalier will serve as team leader for the girls squad and will be working closely with Walker, assistant coach to the men's and women's Eagles Sevens.

"We're excited about seeing Richie's continued development as he moves into a national head-coaching opportunity," said Magleby.

"He works as an assistant with both of the sevens national teams.

"These young players will gain from his rugby knowledge and ability to connect the national team systems to the age-grades."

The United States will be one of six counties taking part in the rugby sevens competitions at Nanjing 2014, which is due to take place from August 16 to 28.

Rugby sevens was not part of the programme for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010.

USA Rugby says that the 12 players for each squad will be announced in the coming weeks.

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