Say hello to the United States’ Perry Baker and Carlin Isles, the Dubai Sevens Chuckle Brothers

The emergence of the United States as a force in rugby sevens has had much to do with the pace of a pair of wings their coach calls ‘The Chuckle Brothers’. Perry Baker and Carlin Isles are both late converts to rugby, yet each had their turn at giant-killing this weekend.

If one doesn’t get you, the other will

The Americans claimed a HSBC World Series title for the first time when they won the tournament before this one, in London last season. When they arrived in the UAE, though, they had still yet to win a match against New Zealand, until Baker’s two tries laid the platform for an on-the-buzzer win on Day 1. Then Isles was the difference in the quarter-final in over South Africa, scoring the winning try in a comeback win.

Speed stick is working on it

Baker is already a star in the eyes of World Rugby. In their social media marketing campaign during this tournament, the governing body carried a cartoon of him scaling the Burj Khalifa. “The lift in the tallest building in the world takes 60 seconds to get to the top,” the caption read. “In sevens you have to wait just 70 seconds for a try ... but Speed Stick [which is Baker’s nickname] is working on it.”

Golden inspiration

Michael Johnson, the 400m sprint king, handed out the USA’s playing jerseys on the eve of the competition, and Isles, in particular, was inspired. Isles was a track star in his youth, and was reportedly the 36th fastest 100m sprinter in the United States before switching to rugby. “Had a great chat, talking about sprinting,” Isles tweeted about his meeting with Johnson, who was in Dubai as a guest of the series sponsors. “Can’t wait to work with you.”

Win together, learn together

The Americans eventually had their Dubai Sevens progress halted in the semi-final by England, but they had much to cheer, not least the continued upward ascent of their jet-heeled wings. “You’re seeing both of them growing, with every month that goes by,” said Mike Friday, the ex-England coach who has overseen the startling rise of the United States. “They teach one another, they learn from one another. They are yin and yang, The Chuckle Brothers. It is great to see.”

Key findings of Jenkins report

Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."