Thistles name experienced Greenyards squad


Scottish Thistles have named an experienced squad for tomorrow's 125th anniversary Mathon Melrose Sevens at the Greenyards.

The Thistles – a component in Scotland's strategy for the abbreviated game – are being piloted by national sevens coach Stephen Gemmell and he said that players have a chance to force their way into his thinking for the remainder of the IRB World Series.

Gemmell said: "Saturday is a special day for Melrose, the birthplace of the sevens game. We are proud to be part of this celebration and it's important for us to look at players in another sevens environment with one eye to the final legs of the IRB World Series Sevens in London and the Emirates Airline Edinburgh Sevens at Murrayfield next month."

All ten members of the Thistles squad have played on the IRB circuit in the past. Forward Roddy Grant will face a late fitness test with Calum Forrester (GHA) a possible replacement.

The Thistles' first opponents will be the winner of the first-round tie between Langholm and Currie.

&149 Spectators attending the tournament this weekend are being urged to bring along unwanted rugby kit to help the development of rugby worldwide.

Charity SOS/IRB Kit Aid send unwanted or outgrown kit to bonafide rugby federations and Unions that helps the development of junior rugby in emerging nations.

You can drop off the kit at a bright red kit barrel within the Tented Village at Gibson Park, directly opposite the Greenyards.

Scottish Thistles squad: Scott Forrest (Ayr, capt), Mike Adamson (Glasgow Warriors), Ben Addison (Stirling County), Roddy Grant (Heriot's), Chris Fusaro (Heriot's), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh), Colin Shaw (Glasgow Warriors), James Thompson (Heriot's), Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors), Ali Warnock (Edinburgh).

This article was originally posted on 11-Apr-2008, 08:08 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 11-Apr-2008, 12:43.