• English Rugby

RFU names Simon Amor as new Sevens boss

The Rugby Football Union has unveiled Simon Amor as the new head coach of the England Sevens side.

Amor won the IRB World Sevens Player of the Year title in 2004 and is no stranger to the short form of the game having played in 43 World Series tournaments. Amor also has experience in the XV code having played for London Irish, Gloucester and London Wasps.

The ex-scrum-half takes over from Ben Ryan who stepped down in August following six years in the post. He arrives at the RFU from London Scottish where he has been in charge since 2010.

Amor, who won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2006, said he was "delighted" to have been handed the post. He added: "England have a talented squad and my focus is on helping the players realise their potential in the HSBC World Series, at next year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and beyond.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed my time putting the full-time programme in place at London Scottish. The future for the club in the Championship looks very bright and I'm grateful for the opportunity they've given me to develop my career."

RFU head of international player development Joe Lydon hailed the appointment, saying: "We had a strong field of candidates for the role of England Sevens head coach and Simon came out on top in a very competitive process.

"He's an outstanding individual who has the coaching, managerial and leadership skills to take the England Sevens programme forward and shape its strategic role in our international player development pathway. I'm looking forward to working closely with him.

"I'd also like to thank London Scottish for the positive and professional way they have engaged with us to make the transition as smooth as possible for all parties."

London Scottish chairman Sir David Reid paid tribute to the outgoing Amor, saying: "The board has been aware for a number of weeks that the RFU were seeking to appoint a new head coach of the England Sevens team and we are not surprised they have chosen Simon as that person.

"His pedigree as a player in the shortened format of the game is second to none and whilst the timing of this announcement is unfortunate with the season due to start on Saturday, we fully understand Simon's desire to take up this new challenge. The club will immediately review all our internal and external options regarding the coaching set-up with a view to reaching an early decision."

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