Great Britain Announce Women’s Sevens Squad for Paris Olympics
Great Britain have named their 12-strong women’s sevens squad for the upcoming Paris Olympic Games. The team features a strong contingent from the England national team, including standout players Ellie Kildunne and Megan Jones.
Both Kildunne and Jones played pivotal roles as the England “Red Roses” secured a third consecutive Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam in April, before joining the GB Sevens squad to begin their Olympic preparations. Kildunne, 24, was the top try-scorer in the Six Nations and had previously participated in a GB Sevens camp ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, but opted to withdraw to secure a professional XVs contract.
Wales winger Jasmine Joyce also earned a spot on the team, becoming the first British rugby player to appear at three Olympic Games. The 28-year-old was a key player for Team GB in Rio and Tokyo, where they narrowly missed out on bronze medals on both occasions.
Regular captain Abbie Brown was unable to secure a spot due to injury, but Emma Uren and Megan Jones will return to the Olympics after featuring in Tokyo. They are joined by Amy Wilson Hardy, Ellie Boatman, Grace Crompton, Heather Cowell, Isla Norman-Bell, Jade Shekells, Lisa Thomson, and Lauren Torley, all of whom have represented England at the international level.
“It was extremely difficult to name 14 at this stage, as there are so many excellent players who have performed on the World Rugby SVNS stage to secure qualification for these Olympic Games,” said GB head coach Ciaran Beattie. “We want to be competitive in Paris and approach each match as one that can be won, with the ultimate aim of medalling, at the same time being respectful of the huge quality of other teams.”
Team GB qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics last June after winning gold at the European Games. The women’s sevens event is scheduled to take place from July 28th, while the GB men’s team still needs to win the Olympic repechage tournament in Monaco this weekend to secure their place.
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