RUGBY UNION: Mitchell's 'surprise' call (From The Oxford Times)

RUGBY UNION: Mitchell's 'surprise' call

10:30am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Rugby By Ed Mezzetti

OXFORD University fly half Tom Mitchell said he surprised himself by forcing his way into the England squad for the NZI Sevens in Wellington, which starts tomorrow.

The 22-year-old joined the England party after his try-scoring appearance in Oxford’s 28-10 Varsity Match victory over Cambridge at Twickenham.

He will feature in the Wellington and Las Vegas (February 10-12) legs of the HSBC Sevens World Series.

Mitchell said: “I was excited and surprised when (coaches) Ben Ryan and Russell Earnshaw told me the news.

“They asked if I expected to be included and the simple answer was ‘No!’ “I’d trained hard and been doing my best but I didn’t expect to make it into the side with the success they’d had in the first three tournaments.

“Last year was a great one on lots of fronts, with England Sevens for the first time, playing in FIRA tournament, the Varsity Match, all amazing experiences and I’m sure Wellington will top it.

“From what I’ve heard of the atmosphere it’ll be exciting and like nothing I’ve ever experienced.

“Hopefully I’ll be able to handle the pressure. I can’t wait to get out on the pitch.”