Nick Abendanon

Nick Abendanon was born in Johannesburg but moved to England at an early age and progressed through the Bath Academy. He played in the England U19 side that went to the 2005 World Cup, ending the tournament as England's joint top scorer. A member of the Grand Slam winning U21 squad in 2005, he suffered an injury, which meant that he missed the World Championships in the summer. Abendanon then made his England Sevens debut in Dubai in 2006, followed by a call up to the England Saxons squad in February 2007. After injuries and illness hit the England squad that toured South Africa in 2007, Abendanon was called up to the squad and made his debut as a replacement in the second Test.