JAMIE FARNDALE AND ROBBIE FERGUSSON have been named as co-captains of the Scotland squad which will compete in the 2018-19 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. The duo will lead a core group of seventeen players through the ten tournament season, which kicks off in Dubai on 31st November.
“I have worked with Jamie and Robbie over several seasons at age grade level and with the 7s,” said head coach John Dalziel. “Both have shown many outstanding leadership qualities in the way they operate on and off the field as astute professional athletes.
“Given the robust nature of 7s, I feel it is key to have co-captains who can work together supporting each other, the team and the coaches throughout the season.”
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Glenn Bryce and Ally Miller shift from Edinburgh to join the 7s programme on a full-time basis; while
Alec Coombes, Harvey Elms, Ross McCann, Max McFarland and Sam Pecqueur have each been awarded core contracts after impressing when called up to the World Series last season.
Kyle Steyn, who made his Scotland 7s debut last season in Las Vegas, will join up with his teammates once his current role as captain of the Griquas in South Africa comes to an end at the conclusion of the Currie Cup; former Scotland Under-20s fly-half Josh Henderson is given a contract after a season playing for Stade Nicois in France; and Glasgow-born, New Zealand-raised Mungo Mason, who featured for Edinburgh Rugby during pre-season having previously played in the American MLR for San Diego Legion, has also been handed a deal.
“It’s great to look back over the last twelve months and see progress in these youngsters, and in the group,” said Dalziel. “Starting the new season with many of these players now full-time alongside the more established names within the 7s programme is great. We now have a squad full of players who have been outstanding age grade talents and are embarking on the next stage of their development towards pro rugby.”
“Josh and Mungo come in with previous experience from other cultures and environments and add a physical profile to our squad,” he added. “Charlie McKill [Watsonians], Craig Jackson [Melrose] and Scott Bickerstaff [Marr] have also trained with us alongside their club commitments and provide great depth to a very youthful and exciting squad.”
Former captain Scott Riddell is entering his tenth season in the Scotland 7s set-up, with the 32-year-old aiming to combine his playing and training commitments with working within the Scottish Rugby Coach Development Team.
“Scott has been a fantastic servant for Scotland 7s and will continue to be a key member of the leadership group within this squad,” said Dalziel. “He will use his extensive experience to assist Robbie and Jamie as well as the coaching team and will continue to act as a role model to the younger players within the squad, helping his development as a coach and their development as players.”
Core Scotland 7s squad for the 2018/19 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. World Series Tournaments in brackets –
Glenn Bryce (16)
Alec Coombes (4)
Jack Cuthbert (9)
Harvey Elms (7)
Jamie Farndale (31) CO-CAPTAIN
Robbie Fergusson (9) CO-CAPTAIN
Nyle Godsmark (16)
Josh Henderson (0)
Gavin Lowe (24)
Mungo Mason (0)
Ross McCann (4)
Max McFarland (10)
Ally Miller (9)
Jo Nayacavou (36)
Sam Pecqueur (1)
Scott Riddell (67)
Kyle Steyn (2)
2018-19 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series tournaments –
30 November/1 December – Dubai
8/9 December – Cape Town
26/27 January – Hamilton
2/3 February – Sydney
1/2/3 March – Las Vegas
9/10 – Vancouver
5/6/7 April – Hong Kong
13/14 April – Singapore
25/26 May – London
1/2 June – Paris
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