SRU Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder has said that the Scotland 7s programme will be revived after the current Covid-ravaged season, despite news this morning that the RFU, SRU and WRU have secured National Lottery funding to field GB Sevens teams during the build up to the Olympic Games in Tokyo next summer.
“The opportunity for our players to be able to put their hands up for potential Olympic selection is something we very much welcome, as part of a GB Sevens squad,” said Mallinder. “It is our intention that beyond this season, both of our Scotland 7s programmes, remain unaffected by this development and very much look forward to qualifying for and sending our strongest squads to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022.”
Former England 7s cap and England Women’s team head coach Charlie Hayter will take the GB Team Leader role whilst also being an assistant coach across both men’s and women’s programmes. Scott Forrest remains head coach for the women’s side, having been in lead roles with Scotland Women’s 7s since 2012. Tony Roques will join as head coach for the men. Roques brings with him a wealth of knowledge having most recently been an assistant coach with the USA Eagles 7s side and prior to that as assistant coach to the England Sevens team.
James Rodwell, the most capped rugby sevens player of all time and part of the England coaching team since 2018, will complete the coaching set up, assisting across both the men’s and women’s programmes.
Further details on the performance-based programme will be announced in due course.
At least England 7s will get some continuity.