Rob Vickerman: We’re ready to emulate class of ’93

England skipper Rob Vickerman has called on his team to channel the spirit of the 1993 World Cup heroes and end a 20-year wait for the top prize in rugby Sevens.

Vickerman, 27, is one of just two survivors, along with James Rodwell, from England’s quarter-final exit in the last edition of the tournament in 2009.

He believes that new blood in Ben Ryan’s squad for this year’s event, which kicks off in Moscow on Friday, can inspire them to emulate the side featuring Lawrence Dallaglio, Matt Dawson and Damian Hopley which famously claimed the inaugural world crown at Murrayfield.

Vickerman said: “It’s going to be one hell of an occasion. We had Damian Hopley come in and talk us through England’s 1993 victory and how much it meant to them. And then, similarly, we gain inspiration from 1973, when Andy Ripley was carving it up for the England team which won an earlier global Sevens title.

“So, in terms of working it out mathematically, after 1973 and 1993, it could well be our year again.

“There’s a new hunger that’s going to come through from guys who have seen what can happen in a World Cup and have the ability to write their own destiny.

“These guys will want to go in there, put their marker down and be the next Damian Hopley, then come back in ten years’ time to tell the lads how their escapades went in the World Cup in 2013.

“There’s a certain amount of experience James (Rodwell) and I are going to add, but the one thing we have more than anything else is the regret we have from four years ago that we don’t want to experience again.”

Coach Ryan admitted to a number of sleepless nights during the squad selection process but, following a long injury list for much of the season, he was pleased to have a variety of options.

He said: “Of the 60-odd tournaments I’ve been in charge, it’s certainly been one of the hardest selections. Right up until two hours before we named the squad I was still umming and ahhing over the mix of the squad.

“One thing I’ve learnt is that for big tournaments you pick on form and that’s why we’ve got the 12 we have.”

The English head coach, in his seventh year at the helm, is convinced this squad is better prepared for the World Cup than their 2009 counterparts were, despite coming into the tournament ranked only sixth from this year’s world series.

But in Dan Norton – record try-scorer this season and one of eight nominees for World Player of the Year – he has a player capable of providing something special on the big stage and Ryan revealed that it had been the former Bristol flyer’s diligence in defence which has transformed his game this season.

He said: “Dan has improved incredibly over the last 18 months. In the first game of the season he missed a pretty crucial tackle to stop us qualifying for the quarter-finals and that was a watershed moment for him. From then his defence has been through the roof and he has become a very complete player in sevens on and off the field, so he’s far more than a finisher.

“In fact, his assists have been outstanding and his tackle count has been as high as anyone’s. He’s a big game player and teams are terrified of him.

“We’re the quickest side in the tournament and have got good all-round balance. I certainly think there will be a lot of teams that will look at our side and think, ‘if they bring their A-game, we’re going to struggle to contain this lot’.”

PADDY VON BEHR

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