WASPS scrum-half Joe Simpson will take his Singha Premiership Rugby 7s skills onto the global stage if he competes in the Olympics for Team GB this year.
If successful Simpson will be among a number of Singha Premiership Rugby 7s alumni present, highlighting once again how the tournament prepares top players for the biggest events in rugby.
Rio 2016 is set to feature rugby sevens for the first time, 92 years after rugby was last involved in the Games and Simpson is part of the Team GB training squad preparing for Brazil.
The 7s tournament, held just before the Aviva Premiership Rugby season kicks off, gives players a chance to get up to scratch and develop their attacking game, and it is renowned for young players bursting onto the scene and forcing their way into the XVs side.
Simpson played in the 2015 Singha Premiership Rugby 7s for Wasps along with the likes of Elliot Daly, Christian Wade and Dan Robson.
Daly and Wade enjoyed fine domestic seasons, which led to an international call-up for Daly on this summer’s successful tour to Australia with England.
And scrum-half Simpson, who is also capped by England, points to his experience in the Singha Sevens as a key reason for his impressive season with Wasps.
“It is a tough old game, it is completely different to the XVs in many aspects, but as someone who likes to think they are fairly quick I gave it a go,” the 27-year-old said.
“I was lucky enough to represent England a few times and in a few tournaments and that is one of my early career highlights for me.
“Simon Amor has done a great job and they have really pushed on and you see the popularity of sevens rise to the Twickenham sevens. I was in the crowd for that match.
“The Singha Premiership Rugby 7s Series is a fantastic opportunity for anyone, especially young players looking to break through and I am always excited to see how the young Wasps players get on.”
The Singha Premiership Rugby 7s kicks off on 22 July with the Finals at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday 6 August. For tickets and details visit www.premiershiprugby.com/singha7stickets.
