England Sevens
England Sevens skipper Barden retires
ESPNscrum Staff
April 27, 2012
England's Greg Barden lifts the Dubai Sevens crown, HSBC Sevens World Series, The Sevens, Dubai, December 3, 2011
Greg Barden holds aloft the Dubai Sevens crown © Getty Images
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Teams: England

England Sevens skipper Greg Barden has retired from the sport despite two legs of the HSBC World Series remaining.

A new captain will be announced next week but Barden's decision has opened the way for former skipper Andy Vilk to be named in a 14-man training squad. Vilk, the former Northampton and Sale flanker, has been training with England's Sevens squad this season while also playing under Neil Back for Rugby Lions.

With Christian Lewis-Pratt to undergo shoulder surgery, England coach Ben Ryan has included the uncapped playmaker Dan Bibby. England are currently fourth in the world series table but looking to round off a disappointing season with victories in Glasgow next weekend and at the London Sevens on May 12-13.

England Sevens: Dan Bibby (UWIC), John Brake, Chris Brightwell, Chris Cracknell, Isoa Damudamu (British Army), Sam Edgerley (Rosslyn Park), Simon Hunt, Tom Mitchell (Oxford University), Dan Norton, Tom Powell, James Rodwell, Mathew Turner, Rob Vickerman, Andy Vilk (Rugby Lions).

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