Olympics Preview: Meg Jones eyeing gold after stellar season

Allianz Premiership Women's Rugby Player of the Season Meg Jones is chasing a dream as she lines up for her second Olympic Games with all eyes on gold.

The 28-year-old Leicester Tigers back is part of Team GB's 12-strong sevens squad for this summer's Olympics, one of just four returning Olympians in the team.

Jones was part of a Team GB side that finished a heart-breaking fourth place at Tokyo 2020, losing 21-12 to Fiji in the bronze medal match in the Land of the Rising Sun.

But having transferred back to the shortened rugby union format after a successful season in the Allianz PWR, Jones is hungry for a taste of silverware in Paris.

"Coming back from the 15s and jumping ship again, I'm just buzzing to get back out there," she said.

🔊 "An absolute standout for their club..."

Here is our CEO, @BelsMoore, handing @megjonesltd her award which was voted for and selected by media closely connected to #PWR 🫶#PoweredDifferently | Allianz UK pic.twitter.com/FL721VHwN3

— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) June 26, 2024

"The Olympics are such a unique opportunity and you feel bigger than just the world of rugby which is really special.

"I really want a medal this time though. That's the biggest fire burning in our stomachs, especially after Rio and Tokyo.

PWR stars dominate Olympics squad - read more

"Coming fourth is the worst place, so to push this game forward within Great Britian we need a medal.

"I think it will show everyone that rugby sevens is a doable and you can make a career out of it."

Having helped Team GB qualify for Paris with a gold medal-winning performance at the 2023 European Games in Krakow, Jones returned to the 15s format and signed for Tigers ahead of the 2023/24 season.

But the Olympian has always made it clear that she was made for the duality of the sport, with plans to chase whatever dream she can.

"We've all got personal aims within our career so it's really important that we chase those," she said.

The Olympics are ringing 📞@megjonesltd has been selected for Team GB’s final Rugby Sevens squad ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris! 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/4KDHZp6gQz

— Leicester Tigers Women's (@TigersWomens) July 9, 2024

"The game is the same in terms of the goal of scoring over a white line but the fitness for sevens is harder.

"It's a case of chasing your own dreams. Being an Olympian is a dream of mine so I want to play sevens.

"Why hinder yourself to one dream when you can have a couple.

"It's the beauty of the game and it helps to develop players and give them more autonomy which will give more love to the game in the long run."

Who is in the team and which PWR clubs do they play for?

Amy Wilson Hardy (Trailfinders Women)

Ellie Boatman (Trailfinders Women)

Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins)

Emma Uren (Trailfinders Women)

Grace Crompton (Bristol Bears)

Heather Cowell (Harlequins)

Jasmine Joyce-Butchers (Bristol Bears)

Lauren Torley (Harlequins)

Meg Jones (Leicester Tigers)

Lisa Thomson

Isla Norman-Bell

Jade Shekells

Reserves: 

Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women)

Kayleigh Powell (Bristol Bears)

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A post shared by Megan Jones (@thanksmeg)

When do Team GB play and who are they playing?

Great Britain have been drawn into Pool B alongside three other teams.

Ireland will be Team GB's first opponents as they get the women's competition underway, with the side led by Lucy Mulhall making their debut at the Olympics having qualified as one of the four top sides in the 2022–23 World Rugby Women's Sevens Series.

They will then face reigning HSBC SVNS champions Australia, who are out for revenge after missing out on a medal at Tokyo 2020.

Their group stage rounds out with a match against South Africa who are also debutants in the women's competition.

The top two from each of the three pools progresses to the quarter-finals on 29 July as well as the best-placed runners-up. The semi-finals and medal matches take place on 30 July.

Fixtures

28 July 14:30 - Great Britain v Ireland

28 July 18:30 - Great Britain v Australia

29 July 13:00 - Great Britain v South Africa

How to Watch

Watch every moment of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 live only on discovery+, the streaming home of the Olympics.