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Team GB rugby Sevens in safe hands under Joe Lydon, says Maggie Alphonsi

Image: Joe Lydon: Will appoint Team GB Sevens coaches

Rugby World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi is convinced Joe Lydon will help take Women’s Sevens to another level following his appointment as Team GB rugby performance director.

The former Wigan favourite and GB rugby league international has been tasked with the responsibility of overseeing the appointment of men’s and women’s coaches for the Rio Olympics.

Current RFU head of international player development Lydon is a former England rugby union backs coach, following on from his appointment as head coach of the men’s Sevens side in 2001.

“Joe Lydon is a legend,” Alphonsi told Sky Sports.

“He’s had previous experience coaching England men’s teams in the past and he has so much knowledge of both rugby union and rugby league.

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Maggie Alphonsi and Sally Gunnell speak to Sky Sports News HQ about the importance of women’s sport week

“Obviously the main focus now will be creating a Team GB squad for both the men and the women with a year to go till the next Olympics.

“That will be a bit of a challenge but Joe Lydon understands rugby. He gets the game and he knows what it takes to be the best at the very highest level so I have every confidence in him.

“I’m sure he will make a huge difference to the women’s game and will help take it forward.”

Joe Lydon understands rugby. He gets the game and he knows what it takes to be the best at the very highest level so I have every confidence in him. I’m sure he will make a huge difference to the women’s game and will help take it forward.
Maggie Alphonsi

Some of Alphonsi’s former team-mates including Katy McLean, Marlie Packer, Emily Scarratt and Rachel Burford are part of the current Sevens setup.

And the 31-year-old is delighted to see her close friends and former playing colleagues reaping the benefits of becoming professional Sevens players in August last year.

“Getting to Rio is absolutely brilliant and I’m over the moon for all of the girls,” she said. “Sevens and women’s rugby in general is looking really positive. The competition level across the board is of a really high standard.

“Less than a year ago the likes of Emily Scarrat and Katy McLean weren’t even full-time athletes. They were working just like everybody else and trying to fit in the sport and the training around that which has been such a difficult challenge.

“The Women’s Rugby World Cup was an amazing thing to win for those girls but now they have the chance to go to an Olympic Games which is something every athlete dreams of.

“And when you get to an Olympics anyone can win it. They have every chance to go out there and win a gold medal.”

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