Greening: Sevens rescued my career

Phil Greening, who leads the England Sevens rugby team's quest for Commonwealth gold tomorrow, was ready to quit the game after a series of injuries.

Greening had to fly home from last summer's Lions tour of Australia without playing a game because of a knee problem. Then a succession of other injuries - hand, foot and knee again - kept him out of the England team.

"My whole life started to go downhill because of the constant problems," said the 26-year-old England Sevens captain. "I was close to hanging my boots up because I was that depressed."

Greening was then invited by England Sevens manager Joe Lydon to become part of the squad taking part in the World Sevens Series and the hooker helped them finish fourth overall to ensure a seeding in Manchester.

"Joe Lydon dragged me back from the gutter. The Sevens has allowed me to get fit and to start enjoying my rugby again," said Greening, who has 24 England caps.

"I'm starting to turn the corner. I also want to thank Warren Gatland. He arrived as director of rugby at Wasps last year when I was very low.

"He was great in telling me to get away and enjoy playing Sevens. He has also brought a bit of honesty to Wasps and is in the same mould as John Mitchell, the All Blacks coach. Mitch turned me around at Sale. I owe Warren a lot."

Fijian centre Viliame Satala, who is in Manchester for the Sevens, has joined Harlequins on a two-year contract from French club Mont de Marsan.

Fred Asselin has been cleared by the Canadians after being suspended on Monday when it was revealed he had taken painkillers, which contained a banned substance, for toothache.

However, the International Rugby Board must give Canada permission to formally lift Asselin's suspension before he can play. Canada take on New Zealand in the opening game tomorrow.

England Sevens squad: Phil Greening (capt, Wasps), Simon Amor (Gloucester), Geoff Appleford (Ldn Irish), NIck Duncombe (Quins), Ben Gollings (Quins), Josh Lewsey (Wasps), Henry Paul (Gloucester), Tony Roques (Saracens), Pat Sanderson (Quins), Paul Sampson (Wasps), Marcus St Hilaire (Leeds Rhinos), Rob Thirlby (Bath).

England's pool opponents: Cook Islands (tomorrow, 5pm), Kenya (tomorrow, 7.50pm), Samoa (Saturday 1.20pm).

Quarter-final: Saturday evening;
Semi-finals and final: Sunday.