BEN RYAN: Fiji will have a massive influence

WHAT’S YOUR TAKE ON THE 15s SIDE? YOU’VE HAD SUCCESS WITH THE 7s, ARE YOU LOOKING TO TAKE SOME OF THESE PLAYERS TO RIO NEXT YEAR?

Yeah, that’s one of many reasons I am here in the UK to keep an eye on some of the boys.

There are definitely some prospects here, but quite a lot of hoops to go through first.

They’ve got to get released by their clubs, they’ve got to play in the world series, and then they have to try and get in ahead of some of the local boys back home and we do have the number one team in the world at the moment.

I do think we will probably end up picking local talent, but there will be one or two playing on Friday night’s opener against England that will make the cut for the Olympics.

HAD YOU HAD MUCH TO DO WITH THE 15s TEAM IN THEIR PREPARATIONS?

No, I’ve just been a keen supporter here and watching.

If I have any advice or anything of use I might chat to John (McKee) about it, but Fiji has a very experienced group of coaches on the field right now.

And players.

So it was really nice to watch them yesterday in the rain and cold training full of energy and at a good tempo.

They are certainly well prepared.

FIJI IS GOING UP AGAINST YOUR ENGLISH COUNTRYMEN – YOU BEAT THEM IN THE 7s, CAN THE 15s DO IT TOO?

I hope they can give them a good run for their money.

I hope it turns into a game that sets the standard for the World Cup.

I think Fiji will have a massive influence on the group.

Fiji will beat one of either Wales, Australia or England – one of those will be a scalp for us before the end of the World Cup.

It’ll be massive if we can do that because all those teams are ranked well above us.

England will probably go all the way to the final.

It’s a young side, but it is incredibly well put together by their coach Stuart Lancaster.

I’ve coached nearly all the boys in the England team from a young age, when they were in the academy, so I know them pretty well.

But I hope the weather stays fine like this so Fiji can really open up and show some excitement on the field.

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