Amor to coach Great Britain Sevens

Editor

Simon Amor has been named head coach of the Great Britain Sevens men's team for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, it's been announced.

Meanwhile, Simon Middleton will take charge of the women's programme.

Amor, a former Sevens captain, has been in charge of England Sevens for the past two seasons. His second consecutive fourth-place finish in the World Sevens Series rankings last season secured Olympic qualification for Great Britain.

Amor will be assisted by Gareth Williams, who currently heads up the Wales Sevens team and played for over a decade on the international sevens circuit. He served as an assistant coach to Wales from 2008 before being promoted.

"I am incredibly honoured and privileged to be appointed as head coach of the GB Sevens team," said Amor.

"It will be a massive challenge but a huge opportunity. However, with a lot of effort, common sense and working together across the unions we can get a team ready that can be very successful next year in Rio.

"It is great to have Gareth alongside me. He has seven years' experience behind him on the World Rugby Sevens Series and he was assistant coach for Wales when they won the World Cup Sevens. 

"He has also made a real impact on the Wales team as Head Coach. It is important we have a blend of unions in the management to create the 'GB' feel and to maximise the strengths of the home nations.

"I will, along with Gareth, meet the players and coaches from the other home nations. But the priority is to understand where we can get this Great Britain team preparing and playing in competition which is critical."