By Gary Anderson

September 22 - England celebrate their Bucharest Sevens Grand Prix winA comprehensive 31-7 win over France in the final of the Bucharest Grand Prix completed an impressive two days for new head coach Simon Amor's side as they also clinched the European Rugby Association (FIRA/AER) sevens crown.

In what was a perfect way to sign off on preparations for the start of the International Rugby Board (IRB) HSBC Sevens World Series in Australia next month, England completed a seven from seven run in the Romanian capital to bag their second European Grand Prix win following on from Lyon in June.

With wins over Wales, Portugal, Italy and Romania on day one, England completed their Pool A fixtures with 17-7 win over Georgia before taking on Russia in the semi-final.

The Russians had completed their Pool B matches with a resounding 33-0 win over neighbours the Ukraine to finish as pool runners-up to France who had earlier overcome Germany 40-14 to top the pool.

Two Denis Simplikevic tries in the first half saw the Russians unexpectedly go in at the break level at 14-14 but in the second half, England's class eventually told as Michael Ellery and Dan Bibby crossed the line to add to first half scores from Phil Burgess and Dan Norton, which handed England victory on a score-line of 24-14.

The other semi-final saw France run out comprehensive 21-0 winners over Italy, who went on to lose out 31-7 to Russia in the third place play-off.

Dan Bibby crossed the line twice for England as they defeated France in the Bucharest Grand Prix finalDan Bibby crossed the line twice for England as they defeated France in the Bucharest Grand Prix final



























In the final, England got off to an explosive start and threatened to embarrass their great European rivals as two Bibby tries put them 14-0 up at half-time before Christian Lewis-Pratt and Burgess touched down to make it 26-0.

Julien Candelon hit back for Les Blues but Norton went over again for England's fifth try to ensure a well deserved victory.

A 24-10 win over Georgia saw Portugal take the plate crown while hosts Romania secured the bowl with a 17-12 win over Wales.

Attention now moves to the Gold Coast in Australia for the first Sevens World Series event which takes place on October 12 and 13.

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