2016 Olympics
Ben Ryan still in Team GB mix
ESPN Staff
August 6, 2013
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Ben Ryan could yet coach the Team GB Sevens side despite having stepped down as England Sevens head coach, according to reports.

Ryan quit as England boss on Sunday, an announcement which brought an end to his six-year spell in the role. Under Ryan, England established central contracts for their full-time Sevens players and the team also progressed to the final of the 2013 Sevens World Cup.

But England will now be looking for a new Sevens coach with ex-Kenya boss Mike Friday interested and London Scottish boss Simon Amor also reportedly in the mix.

With the 2016 Olympics on the horizon, Ryan was perceived to be a leading contender to lead Team GB into the competition. And although he has stepped down as England boss, the Telegraph claims he is still in the mix to spearhead the home nations' campaign.

Team GB will qualify automatically for the tournament if their nominated home union side secure a top-four finish in next season's IRB Sevens World Series. If they fail, then they will take part in a special repêchage tournament which will also have on offer a qualification spot.

Friday, who coached England between 2003 and 2006, has admitted it would be a "wonderful privilege" to be involved with the Olympics team and claims the Unions need to act quickly in order to catch up with the other nations.

"In reality the Olympics is not far away at all; everyone else is at it in terms of their preparation," Friday told The Rugby Paper. "They (the Unions) need to get their act together no later than halfway through next season because qualification for the Olympics is the following season, in 2014-15."

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