Warriors name strong squad for JP Morgan 7s (From Evesham Journal)

Warriors name strong squad for JP Morgan 7s

11:50am Tuesday 24th July 2012 in News By Tom Guest, @tomguestWN #WENsport

WORCESTER Warriors will head into Thursday night’s regional heat of the JP Morgan Premiership Rugby 7s in bullish mood after head coach Richard Hill named a strong squad for the competition.

Samoa captain David Lemi and Fiji international Josh Matavesi, both Sixways summer recruits, will feature in the squad to take on Gloucester, Bath and Exeter Chiefs at Kingsholm.

Back row Jake Abbott will captain the team and is joined in the squad by fellow former England Sevens international Josh Drauniniu. Neil Best, Errie Claassens and the now fully fit former England under 20s star Andy Short are also named in the 12-man squad.

Hill said: “We have picked a powerful line-up and a good mix of some experienced first team players and those that have played England Sevens, like Josh and Jake and David, who has been on the Sevens circuit with Samoa.

“We have also selected one or two young lads from the academy, who will really enjoy being on a big stage like that in an important competition. For their development, it will be absolutely superb. Players like Joe Nellany and Ben Howard will be really excited about the prospect of playing.”

Warriors squad: Abbott (c), Hayes, Drauniniu, Lemi, Frost, Claassens, T Carlisle, Matavesi, Nellany, Best, Short, Howard.