 Gollings is a key player in the England side |
Ben Gollings has been cleared to take his place in England's squad for the Emirates Airlines London Sevens at Twickenham. The Harlequins back was originally banned for three weeks after being sent off during the 14-10 win over New Zealand in the quarter-finals of the Cardiff Sevens.
But his suspension was amended to three matches by an IRB appeal hearing on Wednesday.
The first was deemed to be the semi-final England lost against South Africa in Cardiff, while Gollings will sit out England's opening two Pool B games at Twickenham on Friday.
He will be free to return in the final game of the day against Argentina and for the knock-out stages on Saturday.
ENGLAND'S POOL B GAMES Friday 1412 BST v Scotland 1718 BST v Georgia 2100 BST v Argentina |
"We always felt the penalty was harsh and we're relieved to get him back for the last game on the first day and for whatever happens on the Saturday," said England Sevens manager John Elliott. Matt Cannon of London Irish drops out of the original 13-man squad named earlier this week by coach Joe Lydon.
Lydon called up four of the players who helped England retain their Hong Kong Sevens title earlier this year.
Gloucester's Henry Paul and Wasps' Phil Greening were involved in the Zurich Premiership final at Twickenham last weekend, while Saracens wing Richard Haughton and flanker Tony Roques played in the Wildcard final.
Paul and Greening will fly out after the London tournament, which begins on Friday, to join England's Churchill Cup squad in Canada.
New Zealand top the IRB standings by 12 points going into the final round, with England second with 88 points and Fiji third with 78.
England Sevens squad for Emirates Airlines London Sevens:
S Amor (Gloucester), J Brooks (Northampton), P Dowson (Newcastle), B Gollings (Harlequins), P Greening (Wasps), R Haughton (Saracens), N McAvoy (Saracens), U Monye (Harlequins), H Paul (Gloucester), T Roques (Saracens), P Sanderson (Harlequins), R Thirlby (Rotherham).