Rugby Union: St Hilaire thought call to sevens squad a 'wind-up'

Stories of athletes turning up to the Commonwealth Games with barely any equipment and even less chance have been commonplace since their inception. What must be a first, however, is the athlete who will compete in a sport he has never even played before.

That he is English and in a team that has a gold medal in their sights is even more unusual. But that is the story of the Leeds Rhino rugby league full-back, Marcus St Hilaire, who was stunned to get a call-up to the England rugby union sevens squad for the Games yesterday.

The 25-year-old full-back thought "it was a wind-up" when he was invited to join the 12-man party but despite his lack of experience had no hesitation in accepting. His blistering speed and eye for an opportunity had already been noted by the former Leeds assistant coach, Damian McGrath, who is working with Joe Lydon, the former league favourite who is coach of the England sevens squad. Having fallen out of favour at Headingley, St Hilaire was released from his contract for the build-up to the Commonwealth Games gold medal assault.

"I must admit when Damian first phoned I thought it was a wind-up," said St Hilaire, who has two full caps for England in the 13-man code. "I guess the switch is not as difficult as it would be playing 15-man union because the Sevens game is quite similar to league, but it has been a steep learning process."

St Hilaire was the chief beneficiary of James Simpson-Daniel's failure to overcome a foot injury. The sevens get underway a week today with New Zealand and Fiji the favourites.

ENGLAND RUGBY SEVENS SQUAD (for Commonwealth Games, 2-4 Aug): P Greening (Wasps, capt), S Amor (Gloucester), G Appleford (London Irish), N Duncombe (Harlequins), B Gollings (Harlequins), J Lewsey (Wasps), H Paul (Gloucester), T Roques (Saracens), P Sanderson (Harlequins), P Sampson (Wasps), M St Hilaire (Leeds Rhinos), R Thirlby (Bath).

* Darren Campbell was yesterday unveiled as Team England's flag bearer for today's Commonwealth Games opening ceremony at the City of Manchester Stadium.