Alex Davis from the Team GB rugby sevens’ squad has been ruled out of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games following an injury to his right ankle.
The 23-year-old sustained the injury during training, at the Team GB preparation camp in Belo Horizonte, ahead of the men’s rugby sevens competition commencing on August 8 in Deodoro.
Ruaridh McConnochie, one of two travelling reserves, will step into the 12-man-squad while Charlie Hayter will fly to Rio and provide replacement cover alongside Luke Treharne.
Head Coach Simon Amor said: “It has been a tough year for Alex for a number of reasons and to have this set back is incredibly disappointing for him. He is a valued character within this close squad of players and also one of the most mentally resilient people I know. He will come back from this and I’m confident he will have a strong career for England Sevens and with Team GB at the Olympics in four years’ time.
“Since day one of coming together as GB Sevens this group has had to adapt and they have done so better than I thought possible. Ruaridh will become part of the competing 12 and the group will continue to pull together as the focus remains on delivering for Team GB in Rio.
“It has been an amazing 12 months for Ruaridh who has played in all but one of the tournaments in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series this year. He is here as a travelling reserve and can cover a number of positions. He is on excellent form and will take this in his stride and give it everything.
“Charlie will meet us in Rio and was unfortunate to miss out on the original selection. He was coming back from injury at the start of the GB programme, which put him behind a couple of others in that position, but finished the preparation tournaments strongly and is primed to provide additional cover.”
Team GB Rugby Sevens (Men):
Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors) Dan Bibby (England Sevens) Phil Burgess (England Sevens) Sam Cross (Wales Sevens) James Davies (Scarlets) Ollie Lindsay Hague (Harlequins) Ruaridh McConnochie (England Sevens) Tom Mitchell (England Sevens) C Dan Norton (England Sevens) James Rodwell (England Sevens) Mark Robertson (Scotland Sevens) Marcus Watson (Newcastle Falcons)
Travelling reserves: Charlie Hayter (England Sevens) Luke Treharne (Wales Sevens)