Lydon makes two changes

England Sevens coach Joe Lydon, who guided his side to a third successive International Rugby Board (IRB) Hong Kong title last week, has made two changes to the squad to play in the Singapore leg of the 2003/04 IRB World Sevens this weekend.

Tom Rees (London Wasps) and Paul Sampson (Bath) replace Pat Sanderson (NEC Harlequins) and Geoff Appleford (London Irish) respectively - in the only changes to the 12-man squad that defeated Argentina 22-12 in Sunday's exciting Hong Kong Final.

"Pat and Geoff were outstanding in Hong Kong, but I had already planned to bring Paul and Tom out to Singapore," explained Lydon.

"I'm delighted that Paul is back playing Sevens where he has made such an impact over the last few seasons and Tom's development has been helped, courtesy of appearances in Dubai, Wellington, Carson City and South Africa in the 2003/04 series.

"All we're focussed on now is Singapore and we expect the tournament to be as tough as last weekend."

Updated England squad: Simon Amor (Gloucester, captain), Neil Baxter (Leicester Tigers), Phil Dowson (Newcastle Falcons), Ben Gollings (Newcastle Falcons), Richard Haughton (Saracens), Kai Horstmann (NEC Harlequins), Henry Paul (Gloucester), Tom Rees (London Wasps), Peter Richards (London Wasps), Dan Scarbrough (Leeds Tykes), Rob Thirlby (Penzance and Newlyn), Tom Williams (NEC Harlequins).

England's Pool B fixtures for Singapore:
(All kick-off times GMT)
v Japan, 04.58
v Hong Kong, 07.54
v France, 11.46