GB sevens players pondered boycott
The Rugby Paper|May 21, 2023
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
GB sevens players pondered boycott

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.

Denne historien er fra May 21, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra May 21, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE RUGBY PAPERSe alt
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
The Rugby Paper

Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash

LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 10, 2024
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
The Rugby Paper

Dramatic late win boosts leaders

A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 10, 2024
England need to be more consistent
The Rugby Paper

England need to be more consistent

I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 10, 2024
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
The Rugby Paper

Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver

ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 10, 2024
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
The Rugby Paper

Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions

TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 10, 2024
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
The Rugby Paper

Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot

LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
The Rugby Paper

Four-try David calls the shots for Bears

MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 10, 2024
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
The Rugby Paper

Scott-Young keen to follow his father

TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 10, 2024
When value for money is not part of the deal
The Rugby Paper

When value for money is not part of the deal

ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 10, 2024
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
The Rugby Paper

'I want to prove my worth to Bath'

OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 10, 2024