RUGBY: Sevens heaven but Jamie wants more (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

RUGBY: Sevens heaven but Jamie wants more

2:00pm Friday 10th August 2012 in Rugby

Marlborough rugby ace Jamie Gibson helped London Irish claim their first silverware of the season last Friday and is now targeting a winning start to the 2012 Aviva Premiership season against Saracens.

Gibson, whose family live in Mildenhall, was one part of a victorious Exiles squad in the J P Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby 7s Series on Friday night at Bath’s Recreation Ground.

A back-rower by trade, Gibson – part of England’s touring squad to South Africa this summer – packed down in the front row to help Irish bring home the trophy.

And the former Marlborough College captain is hellbent on repeating the trick when the Exiles take on Sarries in the opening Premiership clash at Twickenham on September 1.

“It was nice to win the 7s and to be a part of that experience was great,” said Gibson, 21, who is midway through studying for a degree in Classics at Oxford University.

“It’s a good chance to get a bit of running under our belts and a bit of fitness in.

“It wasn’t that long ago that we were in South Africa so we all feel pretty fit but most of the guys have been back in pre-season for three or four weeks so it’s good to play 7s and have a bit of a break.

“It’ll be great if we can get the win in the first game of the season against Sarries.

“Obviously with us being so close to Twickenham sometimes we have a bit of an advantage.

“But it should be a good match, especially against Sarries because they had not quite as successful a season as they would have wanted to have last year. If we can put a marker down it will be very pleasing."

For all the latest news and results from the final round of the J P Morgan Premiership Rugby 7s Series, visit jpmorgan7s.com