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The Premiership 7s has come round again, and this year. The event shall be hosted at Franklin Gardens.
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There is some real talent on show, with almost every club looking to their youngest and brightest individuals to light up the series. If there is one place to see some of the best upcoming talents in English rugby, then this it it.
Wasps are aiming to complete a hat-trick of wins in the competition after winning in 2016 and 2017. However with players such as Josh Bassett and Christian Wade not making an appearance this year, it is highly likely that another team will take the crown.
Here is a list of the seven players that we think will make a real impact over the weekend.
Continue reading below…
Will Butler Worcester Warriors
The former Warwick centre has been making some serious waves for Worcester in his opening season for the men in blue and gold. The 20-year-old scored two tries on his debut for England under-17s against France. To add to this, Butler scored two tries inside the first twelve minutes of his Premiership debut this year. Butler will be hoping that his direct running and elusive footwork will serve him well this weekend.
Rotimi Segun Saracens
The Saracens speedster will be hoping to impress in a series that is perfectly suited to his speed and durability. The 22-year-old winger has been playing for Loughborough University over the past two years and he has shown his class at that level. Segun has primarily been playing A league games at this stage of his career, but the transfer of Nathan Earles to Harlequins now opens the door to selection for him. The former Northampton player has plenty of pedigree in sevens after having played in the school circuit.
Adam Radwan Newcastle Falcons
Radwan is renowned for his speed and finishing ability for the Falcons. Radwan made his Premiership debut during 2017-18, capping off a memorable year by winning Falcons’ Academy Player of the Season. The Newcastle man was originally a utility back, however, he has now committed himself to be an out and out winger. The 23-year-old is sure to be one of the most exciting players to watch this weekend.
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Harry Barlow Harlequins
The Cranleigh debutant will be keen to make an impression this weekend after having impressed in the sevens circuit for his school. To add to this, Barlow is a key member of the Harlequins academy set up, being promoted to the elite team this year. His quick footwork and speed have served him well in the sevens circuit, where he helped guide his school to the final of the Rosslyn Park Sevens after narrowly losing to Sedbergh school in the final.
Tom de Glanville Bath
The Bath flyer certainly had an impressive start to his professional career. The 18-year-old scored a superb solo try and managed the game well in boggy conditions, wearing the number-ten shirt when he played for the Somerset team in April.
Such is the range of skills the Beechen Cliff sixth-former possesses, he has played wing and full-back for England under-18s. For Bath academy and his school he has played ten, 12 and 13.
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From what he has seen so far, director of rugby Todd Blackadder believes young Tom will be a future backline general. To add to this, de Glanville is only entering his first season of first team rugby so there is much to be excited about in this young player.
Paolo Odogwu Sale Sharks
The captain for Sale this year made a serious statement this time last year at the Singha 7’s by scoring eight tries in the group stages of the series. He has impressed many onlookers this season with his speed and footwork for the Manchester-based club. Odogwu brings a real danger to Sale this year and he will undoubtedly be one of the main players to watch in the series this year.
This is only a taster of the talent that is on show tomorrow. It is well worth a watch.
Comments on RugbyPass
Rodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
8 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
14 Go to comments