• • Facebook
  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • Technorati
  • Reddit
  • Stumble Upon
  • Furl

MARCUS WATSON has been added to the England squad for this weekend's International Rugby Sevens Adelaide.

The London Irish wing, who makes his first appearance at this level, will replace Greg Barden, who returns home to play for the Royal Navy.

Watson, 19, has played for England's Under 20 side and appeared at last year's IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina.

He should be suited to this weekend's playing surface at the Adelaide Oval, which is regarded as the quickest pitch on the HSBC Sevens World Series circuit.

"Marcus has fitted in really well and looked very sharp in training," said England head coach Ben Ryan.

"He makes his debut for us on a pitch that should really suit him and adds to the options among our outside backs alongside the likes of Dan Caprice, Dan Norton and Mathew Turner."

England have been edged into second place in the HSBC Sevens World Series after being beaten 29-17 by New Zealand in the final of last weekend's Cathay Pacific Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens.

But there are three tournaments remaining in which they can regain top spot and a first ever title with Adelaide followed bythe Emirates Airline London Sevens (May 21-22) and the Emirates Airline Edinburgh Sevens (May 28-29).

England face Scotland, Papua New Guinea and Argentina on Saturday in Adelaide with the group winners likely to play Kenya or Wales in Sunday's quarter finals.