Joe Simpson's Olympic dream won't affect his England plans
Wasps scrum-half Joe Simpson's appearance in Olympics will not affect his chances of featuring for England according to head coach Eddie Jones.
Simpson was recently named in the 25-man GB Sevens training squad ahead of the Rio Olympics 2016 with the 27-year-old being the only player to have featured in a Test for England
He also underwent an ankle surgery in January following Wasps’ European Champions Cup encounter against Leinstewhich sidelined him for 12 weeks, putting to rest any hope of him featuring in the Six Nations tournament for England.
Having played his only international game in 2011 against Georgia, Simpson was worried that his participation for the GB Sevens team might end his England career, but Jones assured him it will not affect his future with the red rose team.
However, Simpson admitted that switching from 15-a-side game to the sevens will not be an easy task.
"I've still got ambitions to represent England at the highest level internationally, so I didn't want that to be affected, that was my one major concern.
"That was something that I spoke to (Team GB Sevens coach) Simon Amor about and asked him to speak to Eddie Jones.
"I spoke to Eddie Jones personally and he said, 'No, I actually think the Sevens could be quite good for you, it won't hold you back in the future and it won't be counted or held against you'.
"He said, 'Go off and give it a go and when you come back get back into 15s and we'll see how you go'.
"That will be a complete change in physical fitness and robustness.
"So I'll have to have a big old sit-down with all the coaches and conditioners and make sure I know what I'm getting myself in for."
Despite his aspiration to win a gold medal in the Olympics, Simpson's immediate focus will be on the Saturday play-off of the Aviva Premiership where Wasps will take on Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park.
With injuries being a dampener in his career thus far, Simpson is hopeful of performing well in the play-offs and make a smooth transition to the sevens following the Premiership.
Expressing surprise on being named in the GB Sevens squad, Simpson stressed on the need to remain fit in order to compete in the Olympics.
"I feel like I've probably been in the form of my life this season, really pushing for a Six Nations spot and the summer tour, but injury just came at an unlucky time and I feel I'm playing good rugby now I'm back," said Simpson.
"I just want to be playing at the highest level I can. The Sevens call came as something I was extremely surprised about.
"I hadn't gone out and asked anyone, or gone down any back avenues, but I was immensely proud of them even wanting to speak to me.
"Then being named in the squad is an achievement for me in itself. So I'm delighted with that but the hard work starts as soon as this season finishes.
"So as soon as we wrap up here I'll get my Sevens hat on.
"At the moment I'll just concentrate on 15s and Exeter and hopefully the final too, but when it does come to Sevens it will be a bit of a transition.
"It will be mentally pretty tough, running yourself into the ground, because those Sevens boys are freakishly fit.
"So I'll just be looking to try to keep up with them and get to their level over the first few weeks, and try to get some game-time and experience under my belt."
The GB Sevens 12-man squad that will take part in the Olympics 2016 will be announced on 19th June.
