Ashton & Goode keen on Rio Olympics

England internationals Chris Ashton and Alex Goode have revealed they would jump at the opportunity to play Sevens for Great Britain on the sport's debut at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

It may not be for another four years but Ashton, who is one of the deadliest finishers in the British game, is excited by the possibility of challenging for a place in Team GB.

"Yes, I'd love to play at the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016 if I was given the chance," he told the Rugby Paper. "I would like to go there and any chance to get a gold medal is a very exciting thought."

Whether Team GB stick with the Sevens specialists who have performed well for Wales, Scotland and England in the HSBC Sevens World Series or call up stars from the international teams of the 15-man Game, remains to be seen.

However, there is clearly the excitement among the Game's biggest stars to be part of the Olympics.

"I have always wanted to go to Rio - it would be ideal to combine it with an Olympic Games," said Goode, who made his England debut on the tour of South Africa last month.

"I wouldn't hesitate to do it. I would literally love to do that. It would be a dream to be an Olympian.

"To see the Olympics now and the fever I have got, if I even had a glimmer of getting there I would work myself to the bone to have a chance.

"It would be fantastic. I think it would take two months maybe to play a few games and get that level of fitness because those boys are complete athletes these days.

"But it's something I would just grasp with two hands, just to say I've been to an Olympics and to tell your kids when they're young is special."

With thanks to the IRB

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2...950193,00.html