England sevens skipper Simon Amor is convinced Sudbury-based rugby star Sonia Green stands on the verge of greatness.

England sevens skipper Simon Amor is convinced Sudbury-based rugby star Sonia Green stands on the verge of greatness.

Green, who plays for Saracens, helped England to Amsterdam Sevens' glory and, with a first Women's IRB World Cup scheduled for Dubai in 2009, Amor believes the Sarries flanker is set to stencil her name forever into the record books.

Former Wasps No. 9 Amor thinks only pre-tournament favourites New Zealand stand between Green and a shot at rugby immortality.

“New Zealand will be the team to beat but we won't go to the World Cup fearing anyone,” said England women's coach Amor, who lifted the illustrious Hong Kong Sevens title in four consecutive seasons. “This is an opportunity to be forever remembered.

“Everyone is hoping women's rugby is successful and the ultimate goal is it becomes an Olympic event - that would launch it globally and the game would change overnight.

“People will be shocked at how good the standard is and how high the skill levels are within the group.

“It surprised me when I first saw them. This group of players has grown up playing the game and they will only keep getting better.” Green, who has been a regular for England 'A' this season, is relishing the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of former sevens' World Cup winners Matt Dawson and Lawrence Dallaglio.

“The sevens set-up has just been absolutely fantastic,” said Green. “It has been absolutely great.

“So most weekends we've been doing sevens training and it has been a fantastic programme. The new coaches we've got have meant it's just like a breath of fresh air, with Simon Amor and Mike Friday its just fantastic.

“There's now a bit of a divide between the 15s and the sevens but it's not a problem and we'd now all like to make a bit of history.”