TEESSIDER Charlie Simpson- Daniel is following in the footsteps of brother James after being called up to the England Sevens squad for Wellington and San Diego next month.

One of four brothers from Yarm, Charlie is a student at Hartpury College and is attached to the Gloucester academy.

He also plays on the wing for Cinderford in National Two.

James was a Hong Kong Sevens finalist in 2002 before making the step up to the senior England team.

Newcastle’s Ollie Phillips, who sustained a shoulder injury in Dubai, returns to the squad for the tournament starting in Wellington on February 6.

It’s the third event of the 2008/9 IRB Sevens World Series, with San Diego to follow on February 14-15, followed by the Rugby World Cup Sevens in early March.

Four Blaydon players have been selected for international duty. Prolific winger Andrew Fenby was yesterday named in the England Counties squad for matches against France and Ireland, while new signing Elliott O’Brien has been selected to represent Ireland in the RBS Six Nations U20 tournament.

Sevens expert Scott Riddell has been included in Scotland’s extended squad for the IRB Sevens World Series, and centre Ben Mercer has been rewarded for his outstanding form with a place in the England Students squad.

Blaydon’s Director of Rugby, Nick Gandy, said: “They fully deserve the opportunities they have been given and I know they will be successful. At Blaydon we consider player development to be one of our key functions, and these selections show that we are continuing to move forward.”