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Durham University will continue British Universities rich history with the Middlesex Sevens this weekend. In the past Universities such as Loughborough Colleges and St. Lukes, Exeter have been victorious at Twickenham and Durham will look follow in their footsteps

The team have enjoyed unparalleled success this year in student competition, winning the BUCS Premiership – unbeaten in all competitions, winning the championship cup and the BUCS Sevens title in the process.

At the BUCS 7s in Preston earlier this year, Durham defeated UWIC in the final after beating Loughborough earlier in the tournament.

The team is led by James Dennis, a fourth year student of Castle College who is no stranger to invitational 7s having toured New York with the RuckU Spartans in 2007 only to lose out to Samurai International in the final.

The University champions side also includes GB Student Sevens star Tom O’ Toole, England Students Fly Half Mike Ward and 6’7” Fresher Josh Beaumont.

Durham will face the task of the Brazil national team in the first round, which will be no small feat. Brazil made the semi-final of the Newquay Surf Sevens last weekend, defeating sides such as Raging Bull Ronin and Apache on the way to losing out to Samurai (the eventual winners). With the Olympics taking place in Brazil in 2016, it will be a special occassion for the students and their opposition as they take to the field at the most famous stadium in the world.

Durham University Squad for Middlesex Sevens

1 JAMES DENNIS (Castle College)
2 DUNCAN FINNIE (Grey College) - Scotland U20
3 HARRISON COLLINS (Hatfield College)
4 JOSH BEAUMONT (St Aiden’s College) – England Counties U20, Barbarians
5 JACK PATTINSON (Hatfield College)
6 SEAN ROBINSON (St. Cuthbert’s Society)
7 SAM RUPAR (Hatfield College)
8 DAVID HAIGH (Hatfield College)
9 MIKE WARD (George Stephenson College) – England U16, Students
10 TOM SHIEL (Collingwood)
11 DANNY HOLMES (St. Aiden’s College)
12 TOM O' TOOLE (Butler College) – English Univ’ 7s, GB Students 7s.

Captain: James Dennis
Coaches: Steven Colwell, Alex Keay
Physio: Rachael Starkie