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Will Homer’s path from Bath to GB Sevens leads to a scenic journey to Dubai
By Ciara Fearn
As the Dubai Sevens World Series looms, GB Sevens stalwart Will Homer reflects on a unique journey from Premiership rugby to the fast-paced, gruelling world of sevens.
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From his formative years at Bath Rugby to captaining in high-pressure tournaments, Homer’s career has been one of growth, adaptation, and perspective.
Speaking ahead of next weekend’s opener, Homer delves into his path to this point, the challenges of sevens rugby, and the ambitions driving GB Sevens forward.
From Bath to the World Stage
Homer credits his early rugby education at Bath for setting the stage for his transition to sevens, though he acknowledges the World Series brings entirely new demands.
“I absolutely loved my time at Bath, I was there straight out of school. I was living the dream and rubbing shoulders with some legends of the game.
“I managed to break into the first team after a couple of years. Whenever the Premiership Sevens came around, I was always keen to put my hand up for it.
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“Playing in the Premiership Sevens gave me my first taste of professional sevens, and it was eye-opening—the athleticism, the skill sets.
“But, nothing truly prepares you for the attritional nature of the World Series. Backing up game after game is something you can only learn by doing.
For me, the traditional route was through 15s, so I stuck that out for a few years.”
Lessons from a scenic journey
Homer’s journey hasn’t been a linear rise to the top. A stint in recruitment during a break from rugby after COVID-19 reshaped his perspective on life and sport.
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Giving him a renewed appreciation for the game and a deeper understanding of the challenges athletes face both on and off the field.
“I’d say I took the scenic route to playing sevens. I learnt an awful lot about myself while I was at Bath.
“Being young and not quite knowing what to expect in those environments, I spent a lot of time in my own head thinking about if I didn’t play or train well – it would often affect me outside of things.
“I didn’t get perspective for it until I decided to stop playing rugby after COVID and got myself a real job in recruitment.
“That was really eye-opening and a tough transition for me. Looking back at it, I didn’t particularly enjoy it but, really glad I did it.
“Mentally, when you’re in the rugby bubble it’s all consuming and you think everyone is watching you, if you play badly.
“Once I left the rugby bubble I realised how small the rugby world is and it gave me a whole new perspective to not let the game consume me.
“When I returned to sevens, I promised myself I’d enjoy it and not put too much pressure on myself – and I’ve never enjoyed rugby as much as I have in the last two or three years.”
Sevens vs. Fifteens as a mental and physical marathon
Adapting from the structure of fifteens to the relentless pace of sevens remains a challenge, requiring not only a shift in physical demands but also a significant mental adjustment to the faster decision-making, increased stamina, and strategic nuances unique to the shorter format of the game.
“Emotionally and physically, sevens is demanding. You play six intense games over a weekend, managing the highs and lows in quick succession.
“It can be gruelling on the body. Next weekend in Dubai and then Cape Town, it’s just about being able to back it up the week after.
“I think it tests your body and mind in ways fifteens doesn’t. It’s something you can only truly prepare for through experience.”
Team Goals and Leadership in Dubai
GB Sevens enter Dubai with a blend of experience and exciting young talent, creating a dynamic squad eager to make an impact on the global stage.
“We got together and openly discussed as a team what our goals for the season and tournament were. We’ve brought some young guys in who have been awesome during pre-season and I’m really excited to see how they perform.
“In terms of coming into Dubai we’re aiming high – our mindset is to get to the final and win. We know how competitive the field is, but our preparation has been strong.
“It’s about flying into that first game against Ireland and building from there.”
“Ultimately, the fundamentals of team dynamics playing at an elite level like I have in the past, they’re pretty similar and everyone is there for the same reason trying to reach the same goal.
“In terms of competition intensity, it’s slightly easier on the fifteens side of things because you’ve got all week leading up to one game. You have the time to build up to it emotionally and physically.
“Whereas when you’re playing sevens it’s a lot more emotionally turbulent. It’s about being able to ride that wave and not allow it to affect you too much.”
For Homer, leadership – honed during his time at Bath – will be key in not only guiding his teammates through the intensity of high-stakes matches but also in fostering unity and composure amidst the pressure of international competition.
“We’ve had a few of the older boys leave last season, they were natural leaders and full of experience. I think it’s a great opportunity for other people to step into their role.
“I think I might be the oldest in the squad now, which is a bit frightening for myself! Captaincy is something I’m really looking forward to taking on.
“Ethan Waddleton has been great in pre-season, he always leads by example and we’re pretty keen to follow.
“Our head coach, in training, puts us in certain scenarios whether that’s down to six, up by two, and we play through that to manage high-stake situations on the field.
“It’s something we practice a lot and when we get to those kinds of situations in high-stake games it’s something that comes naturally.
“We can just remain calm and work our way through it. We back the work that we’ve done previously.”
Navigating GB Sevens’ Rocky Road
The GB Sevens team has faced challenges since its consolidation from home nations into a singular program. Homer describes the early turbulence as a source of unity.
“It’s been a rocky road the last two or three years since going from home nations into GB. We didn’t really know where we stood as players or where the programme was going in terms of longevity.
“What that can do to a playing group is bring you really close and make you really tight-knit. When you go through that stuff together you come out the other end a little stronger.
“I think it had a negative impact on our performance the first year or two. We often played with a chip on our shoulder and had an excuse ready to drop after we lost because of the state the programme was in.
“We’re actually in a really good place now with a great base in Hazelwood and it feels like there’s a sense of longevity about this programme they’re planning.
“It lets us leave all that stuff at the door and just go out and enjoy ourselves playing sevens, which is ultimately what we’re all there for.
“Missing out on the Olympics was pretty painful for everyone involved but, a lot of us are still here and it just shows we do it because we love the game.
“We don’t have a strategy as such, I think we’ve worked pretty hard throughout pre-season to get ourselves in the best physical condition to deal with the heat and intensity that is always a bit of a shock in the first game of the year.
“In the previous two years, we’ve not done well in Dubai. I think we’re coming into it from a much better place.
“We’ve had a lot more training together than we have previously. We’re just focusing on our first game against Ireland on Saturday morning, ensuring everyone is on point.
“We’ve got a few new boys and it’s going to take some time to adapt.”
Laying the foundations for a promising future
Looking beyond Dubai, Homer’s aspirations are both personal and collective.
“My goal is simple: I want to be part of a winning team this year and help GB Sevens lift trophies. I’ll do whatever I can to help the team achieve that.
“I don’t think rugby sevens has ever been so big at the moment or had so much content and attention around it – It’s a great time to grow the game, especially after the success of the Olympics.
“Personally, I’d also love to contribute to the growth of rugby sevens. Whether that’s through competing at the highest level or promoting the game on social media, it’s a sport that deserves the spotlight.”
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