THE England Sevens squad, announced by coach Mike Friday, has set its sights on the "double", aiming to win the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Hong Kong next March and follow in the footsteps of England's world champions who triumphed in Australia last year.

Former Redruth player Rob Thirlby, now with Penzance-Newlyn is among those named by the manager who believes they can now put England at the very top of the seven a side international game.

Simon Amor of Gloucester will captain the squad, his third season at the helm, and he can rely on the lightning speed of sevens expert Thirlby and the skills of Geoff Appleford of London Irish by his side. Eighteen year old Mathew Tait, one of the most exciting young players to emerge in the Zurich Premiership, has also been named in the core squad.

The 8 players named in the core squad will be available for all seven tournaments in the 2004-2005 IRB World Sevens Series. Friday can also call on any of the 26 man wider squad, which includes five EPS nominated players for a minimum of four of the tournaments in the IRB series.

The eight-man core squad is Simon Amor,Gloucester; Geoff Appleford, London Irish; James Brooks,London Wasps; Topsy Ojo, London Irish; Peter Richards, London Wasps; Ben T Russell, Saracens; Mathew Tait,Newcastle Falcons; Rob Thirlby,Penzance-Newlyn.