It has been a wet week in Japan, but not much will be able to dampen the mood of Scotland 7s centre, Chris Dean.

The 20-year-old, has this week signed a pro-contract with Edinburgh Rugby, while in Tokyo for his eighth HSBC Sevens World Series tournament.

He said: “It has been a really good week, there was a bit of jetlag to get over initially but we have all coped with that well and have since just been cracking on with training.”

Dean was selected for the opening 2013/14 series event on the Gold Coast but had to drop out before travelling due to injury; he was then involved in Dubai in November, helping the side to a place in the Cup quarter-finals. So far, Dean has scored six tries across the World Series and the Rugby World Cup 7s.

His performances in Dubai won him an opportunity with Scotland under-20 in the 6 Nations, where he scored a try off the bench v England. Dean continued:

I’ve had a few niggling injuries this year, but it’s great to be back and I’m feeling really fit. I really enjoyed my experience with Scotland under-20, it has added another element to my game as I compete for selection for this summer's Commonwealth Games.”

Scotland 7s will meet some formidable opponents in England (1.44am), Australia (5.24am) and Spain (9.14am) on day one (Saturday 22 March) in Tokyo. All times are local.

Dean concluded: “England have made a few changes to their squad, but they are filled with quality players, for instance Dan Norton just keeps scoring tries.

“Australia are a young team with plenty of experience and they come at you hard while Spain may be the lowest seed but they are always strong.

Our focus, though, is to get out of the group and qualify for the Cup tournament on day two, so we need to start well.”

Back in Scotland this Sunday (23 March) some Scotland 7s professionals will be out and about drumming up support for the Glasgow 7s tournament in May (Saturday 3 and Sunday 4). They will be dropping in to mini and midi tournaments at Cumbernauld, GHA, Cambuslang, Kilmarnock, Whitecraigs and Helensburgh rugby clubs conducting a rugby challenge which will see one club win a coaching session with Chris Paterson!

To keep up-to-date with all going on with Scotland 7s both in Scotland and in the next two rounds of the HSBC Sevens World Series follow @Scotlandteam on Twitter, subscribe to www.youtube.com/scottishrugbyonline and visit our website www.scottishrugby.org/scotland-squads/scotland-sevens.

Scotland 7s squad to compete in Tokyo 7s (Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 March): Scott Riddell, Finlay Gillies (Glasgow Warriors), Mark Robertson, Alex Glashan, Colin Gregor, Chris Dean, Andrew Turnbull, Michael Maltman, *Neil Herron, Scott Wight (Glasgow Warriors), James Johnstone and Joeseva Nayacavou (Heriot’s and British Army).

This article was posted on 21-Mar-2014, 10:44 by Hugh Barrow.