HARRY PINCOTT
THE inaugural Scotsman Club Sevens kicks off at Murrayfield today with most of the BT Premiership Division 1 clubs sending their strongest sides.

Boroughmuir coach Bruce Reekie said: "I think it's a very positive initiative and will get clubs more involved with one another."


Reekie introduces versatile back Toby O'Reilly from Waikato, while prop John Cox has returned from a spell in France and is also included.

Ayr may be giving their top players a rest, but Glasgow Hawks, who have never had a reputation at sevens, are determined to put that right. They want to add sevens honours to their run of success in the regulation rugby.

Hawks have named their strongest squad possible, including the likes of Kenny Sinclair, Steven Duffy, Ally Maclay, Steve Gordon, Iain Kennedy and Scott Forrest, all of whom possess plenty of pace and skill.

Stewart's-Melville, in the absence of their leading lights such as David McColl, Ross Rennie and Richard Vernon - they are with the Scotland sevens squad for Dubai - rely on youthful vigour and team-work.

Gordon Rigby, the Stewart's-Melville team manager, said: "Our guys were unanimous that they wanted to play sevens and we have selected the best available, most of them having come through together on the schools circuit over the past few years. They are as keen as mustard."

The 12 teams have been divided into four pools. The winners go through to the semi-finals and the final takes place on the main pitch at half-time in the Scotland v New Zealand game. The first match starts at 10:30am.

This article was posted on 26-Nov-2005, 08:49 by Hugh Barrow.