Text, Picture and Video: World Rugby
England had to settle for second place in Pool D after losing to Australia in an enthralling decider in the final match of day one of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2019 opening round in Dubai on Friday, but nothing could take away from Dan Norton's moment of history.
They will meet the defending Dubai and series champions South Africa in the first Cup quarter-final at 11:00 local time (GMT+4), while unbeaten Australia will face Argentina who upset the Blitzboks to pip Samoa to second place on points difference. The two other unbeaten sides on day one, Fiji and New Zealand, will meet USA and Scotland respectively.
Norton, an Olympic silver-medallist with Team GB at Rio 2016, made his debut on the series back in 2009 and has had this milestone in his mind for a while.
“It was a nice feeling. Obviously, I’ve had the whole of pre-season to think about it but at the same time I was excited about the whole season ahead of us,” he said. “I’m pretty excited to have my Dad here in the crowd with his big, massive flag. It’s an amazing present for the family and I want to thank my team-mates from the past and current as well.”
The Challenge Trophy quarter-finals will kick-off proceedings on Saturday with Samoa tackling Japan, Spain facing Kenya, Canada meeting Zimbabwe and France facing Wales.
