The Isle of Man squad for a major rugby 7s tournament has been announced.

The squad will take part in the English Schools’ Rugby 7s tournament at Rosslyn Park in London at the end of March.

It is billed as the world’s biggest rugby competition in terms of the number of participants and for the Manx team is part of its preparations for the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2011.

Manx Telecom is helping the Island’s rugby stars prepare for next year’s Games by providing sponsorship to cover the cost of travel expenses and pay for stylish new kits with dark blue jerseys.  The English Schools’ tournament, which runs from 25th - 28th March, began in 1939 and over the years has been a proving ground for many international rugby union stars.

The Isle of Man squad is as follows: Duncan McGregor, Nick Dixon, Andrew Evans and Liam Murphy (Ballakermeen High School); James Olerenshaw, Fraser Veale, Phil Cringle, Ben Kelly and Connor Stevens (Castle Rushen High School); Daniel Bonwick and Mark Oldfield (Ramsey Grammar School); Tom Moss (St Ninian’s High School).

Mike Dee, Manx Telecom finance director and manager of the Isle of Man’s rugby 7s youth squad, said this was the team’s first major competition in the build-up to the Commonwealth Youth Games 2011, which will be hosted by the Isle of Man, with Manx Telecom being one of the Games’ official partners.
          

"The English Schools 7s tournament is the biggest rugby 7s competition in the world with more than 7,000 boys and girls taking part every year,’ said Mr Dee. ‘Most teams are from the UK but there are a few from overseas too."

Mr Dee said the squad will compete as the ‘Mannin’ team at Rosslyn Park with the 12 players selected from schools across the Isle of Man.

Pictured: Daniel Bonwick and Andrew Evans, both members of the Isle of Man’s squad for the English Schools 7s tournament, show off their new Manx Telecom sponsored jerseys.