One of Scottish Rugby’s most capped backs will return to the Scotland 7s squad, where his international career started, at this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow (Ibrox Stadium, 26-27 July).

Glasgow Warriors’ winger Sean Lamont who has won 86 caps for his country and who was in the 2002 Scotland 7s Commonwealth Games squad in Manchester has been named in Stephen Gemmell’s 12-man squad for Glasgow 2014. Lamont won his last World Series cap at Murrayfield in 2009.

Gemmell has also completed a major coup by securing the services of Scotland and Glasgow Warriors winger, Tommy Seymour who has won eight Scotland caps, but has not yet been involved with Scotland 7s. His selection follows some impressive performances for club and country that display a pedigree for the abbreviated game.

Gemmell said: “Sean [Lamont] is a player with a significant amount of Scotland caps. The pace, power and physicality he will bring to this squad allied with his sevens understanding, gathered from the World Series and a previous Commonwealth Games, will be invaluable.

“Tommy [Seymour] is a proven finisher at international and professional level. His skill set is relevant across the board for sevens, as a strong defender and he is good with ball in the air.

This pair, along with a number of others come in from a successful environment with Glasgow Warriors who have reached the RaboDirect PRO12 final. That is something we can benefit from.”

Also in the squad from Glasgow Warriors are Mark Bennett, who has two HSBC Sevens World Series caps, most recently from the Bowl winning side in Hong Kong in March, James Eddie, Richie Vernon, Lee Jones and former Glasgow Warrior, Scott Wight, all of whom were involved in the fourth place finish at the recent Emirates Airline Glasgow 7s.

The team are also bolstered by the inclusion of Roddy Grant from Edinburgh Rugby. Grant has 12 caps on the World Series, the last of which was won at Murrayfield in 2010.

Gemmell continued: “Thank you to Scotland, Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby for their support to this squad.

“Roddy [Grant] is a proven sevens player who has captained the side in the past. He has had a good season with Edinburgh Rugby and he will help this group step-up to another level.”

Colin Gregor who played at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006 will be in the squad. He is the most experienced short-game player in the squad with 50 World Series caps to his name.

Gregor is joined by his sevens colleagues, Scott Riddell who has been impressive throughout season 2013/14 and returns having played in Delhi in 2010 and Colin Shaw and James Johnstone who have recently returned from injury.

Gemmell concluded: “I have selected a squad that can be successful in Glasgow. At the Emirates Airline Glasgow 7s we created a formula that worked. I believe the balance of players I have named today is an improvement of that formula and is a group capable of producing a result.

This is the biggest Scotland 7s selection I have ever made. Being part of a wider Team Scotland at a home Commonwealth Games is a unique opportunity that all the players and management are looking forward to.

“A lot of hard work lies ahead with this group over the coming weeks and months to ensure we can perform well at a home games.”

Scotland 7s will play New Zealand (game 10) first up on Saturday 26 July, during the morning session at Ibrox. That session begins at 10.30am. They will then play Barbados (game 13) in the opening game of session two at 6pm, followed by Canada (game 21) later in the evening.

Team Scotland Chef de Mission, Jon Doig, said: “The inclusion of Scotland 7s always brings a great dynamic to Team Scotland and we are delighted to welcome the 12 players named today. Scotland 7s have shown some excellent form on home soil this season and with a strong team selection confirmed, we are confident they will give the home crowd a lot to cheer about when they take to the pitch at Ibrox.”

Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games and Sport, Shona Robison, said: “Congratulations to all of the squad selected for Team Scotland. The success enjoyed by the squad at the recent Glasgow 7s shows what can be achieved with the backing of a home crowd. The Sevens tournament promises to be a fantastic, exciting event featuring most of the top sides in the Sevens World Series. I am sure there will be an electric atmosphere at Ibrox with Head Coach Stephen Gemmell and the players doing the nation proud.”

Louise Martin CBE, chair of sportscotland said: “I am delighted to see such a blend of youth and experience in the Rugby Sevens players selected for Team Scotland. They will be joining the finest group of athletes this country has ever produced for a Commonwealth Games, and each deserves warm congratulations.

“One of the main reasons we are able to prepare world-class athletes is because of the high performance support services provided by sportscotland. World-class experts, working with world-class athletes, give the country every reason to be excited about our prospects at what promises to be the best ever Games.”

The Team Scotland Rugby Sevens Team for Glasgow 2014
Scotland 7s squad to compete as part of Team Scotland, during Glasgow 2014, on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 July at Ibrox Stadium: Richie Vernon, James Eddie (both Glasgow Warriors), James Johnstone (Scotland 7s), Roddy Grant (Edinburgh Rugby), Scott Riddell, Colin Shaw (both Scotland 7s), Lee Jones (Glasgow Warriors), Colin Gregor, Scott Wight (both Scotland 7s), Mark Bennett, Sean Lamont and Tommy Seymour (all Glasgow Warriors).

Unavailable for selection: Jack Cuthbert (knee) (Edinburgh Rugby), Russell Weir (knee), John Houston (neck), Michael Fedo (knee) (all Scotland 7s)

This article was posted on 21-May-2014, 10:22 by Hugh Barrow.