TWO former New Zealand representatives will run out for England at this weekend’s World Rugby Sevens round in Wellington.
Jack Wilson and Warwick Lahmert previously wore the black jersey, but have since switched allegiance.
It will be Wilson’s England debut.
Although born in England, he played all of his earlier rugby in New Zealand, appearing eight times for Bay of Plenty in 2012, the same year as he made his sevens debut for New Zealand in Hong Kong.
At the end of 2012, he moved to England to join Saracens and made 19 appearances for them.
In 2015, he went to South Africa and played for the Sharks in Super Rugby. He returned to New Zealand and made 10 appearances for Otago in the provincial championship.
Returning to England to attempt to qualify for the Olympic Games, his selection for Wellington meant he followed Lahmert in representing both countries.
Taranaki’s Lahmert played five tournaments for the All Blacks Sevens in 2012-13, before dropping out of the squad.
England coach Simon Amor said Wilson was a handy addition to their squad.
“Jack brings a lot of speed, physicality and power to our game. He has had a tough conditioning block to get him up to sevens’ fitness again and has worked incredibly hard. Everyone is excited to see how he goes.”
England will be looking to build on their strong record in Wellington tournaments. They finished second last year to New Zealand, going down 21-27. They were winners in 2013.
Amor said: ” is a brilliant tournament with a passionate partisan crowd and the boys seem to respond well in those situations.
“The timing of the training block leading into the tournament also tends to bring out the best of the players. Although there is a real mix of experience and inexperience in this squad, there is talent from 1-12. They are a very tight-knit group and we will be looking to our winning attitude in every contest,” he said.
England squad: Tom Bowen, Dan Bibby, Cameron Cowell, Alex Davis, Richard DeCarpentier, Alex Gray, Warwick Lahmert, Ruaridh McConnochie, Tom Mitchell (captain), James Rodwell, Ethan Waddleton, Jack Wilson.
