Katy Mclean makes first Olympic rugby squad for 108 years

Rugby star Katy Mclean who has been named in the Team GB squad Credit: PA

England World Cup winner Katy Mclean has been named in the first Team GB rugby squad to compete in the Olympics in more than 100 years.

The South Shields star is one of 24 men and women announced by the British Olympic Association who will compete in rugby sevens at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

It will be the first time in 108 years that Team GB has had representation in rugby at Olympic level and a first for the seven-a-side format.

Competition takes place over six days with the women competing first from August 6-8 at the Deodoro Stadium in a pool which includes hosts Brazil, Japan and Canada.

The men’s competition follows from August 9-11 with Kenya, Japan and New Zealand waiting in the pool stages for Team GB.

Team GB Chef de Mission, Mark England, said: “It’s great to welcome rugby back into the Olympic family and announce our first squad of players in the sport for more than a century.

“These players have incredible pedigree in the sport and bringing them together to form the first ever Team GB sevens squads is very special and each of these 24 will now forever be a part of British Olympic history."

Team GB Head Coach (Women) Simon Middleton added: “This is a hugely exciting moment for women’s rugby with sevens making its debut at the Olympic Games and we believe we have selected the best possible group of players to achieve success in Rio."