SCOTLAND 7s ANNOUNCE SQUAD FOR FINAL STOP OF SERIES
Posted: 16/May/08
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The Scotland 7s squad have toured the world this year on the IRB Sevens World Series and their final stop, the Emirates Airline Edinburgh 7s, is only two weeks away.

With the London event next weekend before the finale of the Series at Murrayfield, Scotland 7s coach Stephen Gemmell today announced the squad, which will compete at both events, aboard an open top bus at the national stadium.

The Scotland 7s team has toured the world and will have visited eight different countries at the conclusion of the IRB Sevens World Series. The final event of the Series will also be the first opportunity to see the squad in action on home soil since lifting the Ladies Cup at the 125th Melrose 7s under guise of the Scottish Thistles.

Looking forward to returning home, Scotland 7s head coach Stephen Gemmell said: "The squad and the management team are really looking forward to the final leg of the Series at Murrayfield because the inaugural Edinburgh 7s was such a great success, both in terms of our performance and the event itself. The support we received last year was incredible and it was an experience that the players still talk about today. I hope we can replicate that atmosphere this year to spur the boys on to a successful finish to the Series.

The players have worked hard all year and having reached five Cup quarter-finals last year, we've continued that form to reach four this year. Thats a positive marker for them to continue improving that record over the next two tournaments."

In terms of his selection, Gemmell added: The backing of the two Scottish pro-teams has enabled me to pick a squad I feel will do our country proud. Theres no doubt we have tough opposition in both London and Edinburgh but Im confident we can continue to show our quality against the best sides in the world.

Weve got pace throughout this squad, and a great deal of experience which is invaluable when playing international rugby sevens.

Scotland 7s squad to compete at the Emirates Airline London 7s and the Emirates Airline Edinburgh 7s: Scott Forrest (Ayr)* CAPTAIN, Mike Adamson (Glasgow Warriors), Ben Addison (Stirling County)*, Grant Anderson (Ayr)**, Chris Fusaro (Heriots)**, Colin Gregor (Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh), Steven Lawrie (Edinburgh), Colin Shaw (Glasgow Warriors), James Thompson (Heriots)*, Andrew Turnbull (Edinburgh), Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors)

* = Member of Scottish Rugby's Senior National Academy
** = Member of Scottish Rugby's Junior National Academy and supported by Area Institute of Sport

This article was posted on 16-May-2008, 14:32 by Hugh Barrow.