The Newcastle update on the GB7s Olympics approach for Adam Radwan
![The Newcastle update on the GB7s Olympics approach for Adam Radwan](https://eu-cdn.rugbypass.com/webp-images/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/GettyImages-1814970970-1.jpg.webp?maxw=767)
Steve Diamond has explained the status of the recent request made to Newcastle about Adam Radwan possibly helping the Great Britain 7s team to qualify for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.
The tournament at the Stade de France, which is set to see Antoine Dupont represent France and Michael Hooper play for Australia, is scheduled to take place across three days in late July, starting with the preliminary round on Wednesday, July 24.
The quarter-finals are planned for the following day, July 25, with the event concluding with the medal matches on Saturday, July 27.
Britain have yet to qualify for the Games and they have one final chance of doing so by winning the 12-team repechage event that is pencilled in for Monaco on June 21-23 where they have been drawn in a pool that also features Canada, Uganda, and China.
The GB7s team skippered by Scotland’s Robbie Fergusson are currently ninth in the HSBC SVNS Series. They are seven points behind the eighth-place USA and unless that margin is overturned at the Singapore 7s on May 3-5, they will contest the relegation/promotion play-offs at the Grand Final in Madrid on May 31-June 2.
Now 26, Radwan won the last of his two England Test caps in November 2021. He has three rounds of Gallagher Premiership matches left with Newcastle before their terrible bottom-of-the-table season finally ends, starting Sunday at home to Sale, at home again to Bath on May 10, and then finishing at Gloucester on May 18.
Asked by RugbyPass for an update on the Olympics approach made to Radwan, Newcastle boss Diamond said on Wednesday: “The sevens selectors are looking around for people who would suit the game and there are a couple of qualifying rounds still to go.
“I think it’s not just Adam Radwan, they have gone to other Premiership clubs. We had a chat with Adam and if it fits and he wants to do it then we will back him all the way. We’ve not heard anything since, so no doubt the powers that be picking that team will be in touch if they want him.
“Of course he wants to do it, anybody would want to go to the Olympics. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that he may have. He may not have if they don’t qualify.”
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For me, it should be noted that certain players were injured at various stages of the year - Jordan, Roigard, S. Barrett, Tuipolutu, the loose forwards….and Takei'aho (all year). Injuries will still be happening next year of course, but the dip in form mid-year was partially caused by having a locking crisis (Barrett and Tuipoluto both injured vs Argentina), for example.
I think the team clearly needs to build more strength in depth but there has been progress in this area this last year. We need at least one more world class lock in the mix and I hope they settle on their best loose forward combination earlier in 2025 also (preferably with Savea playing No.7). Both South Africa and France have built up about 45-50 players that could play competently at top level international level - the ABs have about 35-40 and it needs to get better.
Also, it needs to be said that both the Crusaders and Highlanders underperformed in the Super Pacific completion and both teams need to step up. There are too many players of potential international quality in those teams that were badly out of form because the team pattern wasn’t working or they spent most of it injured. They need to step up - if these teams provide more in form players, the ABs strength in depth will increase.
Go to commentsLack of 10 backup since the let Sheedy go could/is hurting them. I reckon they'll get a marquee signing for next season, but hopefully not Farrell, which I've heard is a possibility.
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