Army Players in International Sevens
Season 2008-2009

IRB 7s
Days 1 & 2

Both England and Fiji have qualified for the quarter finals of the Rugby World Cup 7s in Dubai, both teams winning each of their three matches. Both are looking an ominously good bet to progress further and mercifully have been kept apart in the quarters draw- an England v Fiji final on Saturday might still be on !. To be fair we all know 7s is a magic game which draws the very soul out of the body but it does have that element of luck largely missing in the XVs game.

Against Kenya, who are a much fancied team, in England's final Group game, Damu netted a brace of tries-look at www.rwcsevens.com/ for a great picture.

Afterwards he said to the BBC:

"We are very confident of winning the Tournament. We know we have a good team and its all about working for each other and winning as a team"

The Army would like to congratulate Josh Drauniniu (RN) who is playing fabulous rugby in Dubai - for England - a great feather in Josh's and the Senior Service's cap.

Satala and Damu in 2009 World Sevens Dubai

Reporter/Photograph: Roger Thompson

Two Army players, Apo Satala and Isoa Damudamu are playing in the IRB Rugby World Cup in Dubai.

Apo, a powerful flanker who has also played premiership rugby on the wing and in the centre, plays his civilian rugby for Gloucester-currently top of the Premiership. He will be representing Fiji, which he has done many times in the past, including previous World Cups.

Damu, who has taken this year's IRB 7s circuit by storm will be representing England. He scored the Tournament winning try in the Wellington Cup in New Zealand earlier this year and has been described by England coach Ben Ryan "as probably the best 7s player in the world". What price an England v Fiji final on 7 March ?

Watch this space for updates

Follow all the action at: www.rwcsevens.com/

Posted: 5 Mar 09

Damu stars at the death

Reporter/Photograph: Roger Thompson

In the final of the Wellington IRB Sevens the hosts New Zealand led England 17 pts-0 at half time. Another All Blacks victory seemed inevitable but England clawed back two unconverted tries to improve respectability and provide a glimmer. The clock had run down and all that remained was the final whistle when Isoa Damudamu (RLC) broke clear and sprinted under the posts. Those who know Damu will understand few with his speed have so much strength and no one with his strength has quite the ability to break and dash. At 17 pts all Ben Gollings slotted the conversion to give England a fantastic victory.

To follow England Sevens go to www.rfu.com/sevens

Posted: 10 Feb 09

Damudamu selected for England Sevens

Pte Isoa Damudamu (Royal Logistic Corps) has been named in the 12 man England Sevens squad for the first set of two IRB 7s tournaments in Dubai and George (SA) later this month.

Gollings, the IRB World Sevens all time highest points scorer, is joined by Leeds Carnegie try machine Tom Biggs, powerful winger Uche Odouza (Suntory, Japan) and scrum half Kevin Barrett (Exeter Chiefs).

The 12-man squad will travel to Dubai, the venue of next year's Rugby World Cup Sevens (March 5-7 2009), where they will take on Portugal, USA and Fiji on day one of the IRB Sevens Series.

Also included in the side are two members of the Royal Navy: Royal Marine Greg Barden, currently playing for Bristol Rugby on a one year contract and Fijian wing Josh Drauniniu (Exeter Chiefs/Royal Navy). Returning from a shoulder injury which he picked up last season is Isoa Damudamu (Army).

Geraint Ashton-Jones, Royal Navy Director of Rugby said, "Everyone in the Royal Marines and Royal Navy is very proud of these players. They've worked really hard, having to juggle their other commitments with training. They have put in lots of effort individually and as part of the team.

Ryan said, "This is a very exciting time for English rugby across the board and the energy from the senior side is rubbing off on the other representative sides. The desire from each squad to reach the highest standard is clear. We want to reach the top, and that means winning the World Series and the Rugby World Cup Sevens.

"I'm looking forward to seeing what these players can do. We have put in a lot of hard work behind the scenes and we have every intention to make these next two seasons hugely successful and put in some world class performances."

England's 12-man Emirates Airline Dubai and South Africa Sevens:

Greg Barden (Bristol Rugby/Royal Navy)*
Kevin Barrett (Exeter Chiefs)
Tom Biggs (Leeds Carnegie)
Chris Cracknell (Exeter Chiefs)
Isoa Damudamu (Army)
Josua Drauniniu (Exeter Chiefs/Royal Navy)*
Ben Gollings (Gold Coast, Australia)
Uche Odouza (Suntory, Japan)
Ollie Phillips (Newcastle Falcons)
James Rodwell (Moseley RFC)
Rob Vickerman (Leeds Carnegie)
Micky Young (Newcastle Falcons)

*Denotes uncapped for England Sevens

Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens, November 28 & 29, 2008 England fixtures:

Pool D

Friday November 28, 2008

England v Portugal, ko 12.04pm local time (GMT +4)
England v USA, ko 5.00pm local time (GMT +4)
Fiji v England, ko 7.56pm local time (GMT +4)

Emirates Airline South Africa Sevens, December 5 & 6, 2008 England fixtures:

Pool A

Friday December 5, 2008

England v Africa 3 (kick off 13.27 local time, GMT + 2)
England v France (kick off 16.33 local time, GMT + 2)
New Zealand v England (kick off 20.16 local time, GMT + 2)

To follow England Sevens go to www.rfu.com/sevens

Posted: 17 Nov 08