Simon Amor: One of England's finest Sevens players
Simon Amor has been appointed as the new head coach of the England Sevens team, the Rugby Football Union have confirmed.
The former England Sevens captain, who played at scrum-half for London Irish, Gloucester and Wasps, has been director of rugby with Championship side London Scottish since 2010.
Amor is regarded as one of the finest Sevens players of all time and featured in four winning teams in the Hong Kong Sevens, won a silver medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in 2006 and was named IRB World Sevens Player of the Year in 2004.
The 34-year-old coached the England Women team at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2009, and he will now take over from Ben Ryan as the men's Sevens boss.
"I'm delighted to have been given the chance to lead England Sevens at such an exciting time in the development of the sport," said Amor.
"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 added: "Simon is an outstanding individual who has the coaching, managerial and leadership skills to take the England Sevens programme forward.
"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 said: "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." Source : http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12504/8916322/simon-amor-appointed-as-head-coach-of-england-sevens
