Names like Henry Pollock, Marcus Smith, Tommy Freeman, Henry Arundell, and Noah Caluori are being floated as possible candidates. The conversation has been stoked, in part, by a comment from boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, who suggested that Pollock should aim to win both the Olympics and the World Cup — a line that caught fire on social media.
The GB sevens struggle
Great Britain’s sevens program has had a tough time since its silver medal at Rio 2016. It finished fourth at Tokyo and failed to qualify for Paris. The lack of consistent investment and changing models — from full-time contracts to a part-time camp approach — have left the team in a holding pattern. According to reports, the lack of central Olympic funding is a major problem. Without a long-term plan, any sudden influx of top talent ahead of the 2028 Olympics may just paper over deeper issues.
Scheduling clashes and qualification hurdles
Qualifying for the top four spots at LA28 is going to be tough. The Svns World Championship and World Rugby Championship are set for April to June 2028 — right in the middle of domestic title races in the Premiership and URC. Clubs are unlikely to let their top title-chasing players be sidelined for Olympic qualifiers. Even if GB misses the top four, the European qualifiers in June 2027 could clash with World Cup preparations. If they still don’t qualify there, the last shot comes in Monaco with a final repechage.
This raises a bigger question: should English, Welsh, and Scottish rugby support the sevens team more consistently, not just before the Olympics? Clubs could offer non-international talent for GB camps throughout the season, helping build a sustainable program. It might not be as flashy as a high-profile switch like Antoine Dupont to sevens, but France had a built-in advantage by hosting the last Olympics.
Rugby sevens as a development tool
Still, moving top-tier talent to sevens isn’t a bad idea — if done right. The Olympics remains one of rugby’s biggest platforms to attract new fans. Noah Caluori, one of the five young stars in the spotlight, recently showcased his potential at London City 7s, proving that sevens can complement, not undermine, a player’s development. If Great Britain wants to build a competitive squad, it must start at home — with long-term plans and consistent support.
Dan James, founder of the London City 7s, knows the stakes. His event is back in 2026, and he understands what it takes to build a program. He argues for patience and real planning — not just a headline-driven raid on Six Nations squads. The dream of a gold medal in LA28 may still be alive, but it won’t come from five names alone.