England great Ben Gollings 'still getting used to' their absence at Dubai Sevens

Having represented England with such distinction here in the past, even Ben Gollings reckons it’s weird they are no longer present at the Emirates Dubai Sevens.

The 43-year-old back became the leading point scorer in world series history during an illustrious career with England.

Yet on Saturday night he found himself coaching Fiji against the side who have replaced them – Great Britain.

Fans from the home nations are still struggling to compute the change. They are used to barracking against each other in the stands at the Sevens, rather than cheering on the same team.

Even the merchandise store on site at The Sevens still sells England, Wales and Scotland shirts.

“It feels funny coming to Dubai and not seeing a red rose, or the Scots and the Welsh,” Gollings said.

“It is different. It is something I am getting used to, especially having had so many great years here with England.

"But we are in a new era now with sevens, so it is all about how we move forward.”

GB are now in their second full season on the series, and their tough baptism has continued, having finished ninth on the world series last season.

They opened the new campaign with a 36-12 humbling by United States on the first morning in Dubai, then were thrashed 35-0 by France.

Somehow they managed to rebound to beat the previously imperious Fijians 24-0 in the evening match.

It was too little too late, though. They finished last in their pool, to miss out on the knockout phase.

The result meant Fiji will face Ireland in the quarter-final on Sunday morning, and Gollings is expecting an improvement from his side.

“Credit to GB, you know they are always going to have a game in them,” Gollings said.

“They had a tough morning so we knew they were going to want to