Lancashire-born Dan Bibby wants a full house at the AJ Bell Stadium this weekend as Manchester follows in the footsteps of Lyon and Moscow as hosts of the European Rugby Sevens Grand Prix Series.
The 23-year-old fly half scored 15 tries during the 2013-14 IRB World Series though he has been far less prolific on the European scene, notching up just four points (two conversions) for the tournament pacesetters at the halfway stage.
However with a home leg to come on the back of England’s win in Moscow, and next weekend’s culmination in Bucharest, Bibby is confident he and the team will enter the arena in full flow.
“The sevens this weekend is a great opportunity for fans to watch some entertaining rugby,” Bibby told event hosts the Rugby Football Union (RFU).
“We’re keen to showcase the game and it would be great to see some full stands. There are some new guys involved and it’ll be good to see how they get on ahead of the first World Series leg in October.”
Bibby and England were beaten in the quarter-finals of the July 23-August 3 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow by Samoa by a solitary point but then saw off Wales in the plate.
After a few weeks of rest, Bibby is interested to see how the team react to competitive action again.
“I haven’t played up north too much over recent years, but it’s great to head back to sunny Manchester and hopefully catch up with a few familiar faces.
“We had a few weeks off after the Commonwealth Games, but we’ve been back in camp for a while now and the lads are raring to go.”
Bibby said he ignored the tendency in Lancashire to choose football or rugby league at a young age, something he is grateful for now.
“I think I found the only rugby union club in the whole of Wigan!
“There’s plenty of rugby league and of course football going on, but I went to my local club at five. My dad took over as one of the coaches and that really drove me on.”
Tickets for this weekend’s action are available from £10 here.
Main image courtesy of Serge Betsen Academy Rugby Challenge via YouTube, with thanks.
