GB sevens players pondered boycott

SEVERAL Great Britain Sevens players thought about refusing to participate in this weekend’s London leg of the World Series due to being treated ‘as a second thought’ by the home nations and a lack of clarity over contracts that expire next month. 

- BEN JAYCOCK

England, Wales and Scotland combined as Great Britain ahead of this season’s World Series but the results on the pitch have been underwhelming with GB finding themselves down in 10th in the men’s standings.

This weekend’s Twickenham event was due to be the highlight of the GB squad’s season, but the uncertainty over their futures has left a sour taste in players’ mouths - with some even questioning if it’s worth playing at the home of English rugby.

Combining the three nations has inflicted serious challenges with fewer opportunities for sevens players in the UK than ever before.

Freddie Roddick, 24, who had scored 150 points before this weekend, told The Rugby Paper how he and his teammates are forced to play without knowing their future.

He said: “It’s been tricky. Having three nations amalgamated into one sometimes feels like none of the unions want to look after you and you feel like the odd one out as no one wants to take responsibility for you.

“We sometimes feel like a second thought but as a group we’re very together and inside the environment everyone wants the best and it almost brings you together more. But there’s lots of challenges and uncertainty.

“None of us know what’s happening next year. So, ahead of the weekend there were boys questioning if they want to play. No one wants to turn down an opportunity to play at a packed Twickenham as it’s an awesome experience but it really shows the stress and turmoil in boys’ heads when certain lads are considering if it’s worth playing.