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Ollie Phillips (Stade Francais) will make a return to England Sevens action for the next two legs of the IRB Sevens World Series in Adelaide (20-21 March) and Hong Kong (26-28 March).

 Phillips, who won the 2009 IRB Sevens Player of the Year award, led England to two tournament victories last season in Wellington and London when they finished third overall, their highest ranking since 2006.

Commitments to new club Stade Francais have limited his appearances thus far this season but coach Ben Ryan is keen bring him back into fold for a crucial juncture of the season and with one eye on October’s Commonwealth Games.

Another returnee to the squad is Josh Drauniniu (Royal Navy & Harlequins), who will also feature for the first time this season after making his debut in Dubai in 2008.

With Kevin Barrett (Saracens) recovering from a shoulder operation, this season’s leading points scorer Ben Gollings retains the captaincy in his absence. Both Gollings and Dan Caprice are expected to fill in at scrum-half. 

Oli Lindsay-Hague, who made his debut at the USA Sevens in Las Vegas, and Dan Norton both drop out of the 12 man squad.

England are currently in fourth place in the IRB standings behind Fiji, Samoa and New Zealand respectively and go to Adelaide and Hong Kong to try to boost their tally before their home leg in May.

England meet the USA, NIeu, and hosts Australia at the pool stages in Adelaide, before facing off with Hong Kong, Japan and Wales the following week at the Hong Kong Stadium.

England Sevens Head Coach, Ben Ryan said, "It's fantastic to have Ollie and Josh back and their experience and class will add to an evolving squad with Ben Gollings who as captain, is playing some of the best rugby of his career.

"It will take a big effort for us to get ahead of the three teams in front but anything is possible. We are travelling to Sydney for a training camp before the next two tournaments and the real hard work starts in Adelaide."
England head Down Under two weeks today to give themselves the best possible preparation for a gruelling couple of legs on the Series.

England Sevens squad for Adelaide and Hong Kong:
Jake Abbott (Worcester Warriors), Donald Barrell (Saracens), Chris Brightwell (Bedford), Dan Caprice (Blackheath) , Josh Drauniniu (Royal Navy & Harlequins) , Ben Gollings (capt, Gold Coast, Australia), Ollie Phillips (Stade Francais) , Tom Powell (Cambridge) , James Rodwell (Moseley), Nick Royle (Fylde), Mat Turner (Bristol Rugby), Christian Wade (London Wasps)