EDINBURGH flyer Freddie Owsley has been called up to the Scotland Men’s 7s squad for the first time ahead of the Toulouse and London legs of the HSBC World Sevens Series, which are being played over the next two weekends.
The side will be be captained Jamie Farndale, while Robbie Fergusson, who represented Team GB at the delayed Tokyo Olympic Games, returns to sevens duty for the first time since featuring at Vancouver in 2020, after a spell with Glasgow Warriors. Fellow Olympians Ross McCann and Alec Coombes are also in the squad.
“We are aiming to take the progress made in Vancouver and improve again against top-class opposition,” said head coach Ciaran Beattie. “We feel like we are getting better with each passing week and there is a real bond in this young squad.
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“Being able to welcome back Robbie Fergusson, a talented player we know and who holds the respect of his peers, is another boost for the trips to France and then Twickenham.”
Full squad –
- Jamie Farndale (47) Captain
- Kaleem Barreto (6) Vice-captain
- Alec Coombes (18)
- Matt Davidson (4)
- Jordan Edmunds (4)
- Harvey Elms (25)
- Robbie Fergusson (25)
- Grant Hughes (2)
- Paddy Kelly (8)
- Lee Jones (28)
- Ross McCann (20)
- Freddie Owsley (0)
- Femi Sofolarin (5)
Toulouse schedule (all times BST) –
- Friday 20 May
- New Zealand 7s v Scotland 7s, 11.44am
- Australia 7s v Scotland 7s, 6.46pm
- Saturday 21 May
- Scotland 7s v USA 7s, 11.44am
- Remaining matches on Saturday 21 May and Sunday 22 May determined by pool placings.
MEANWHILE, Scotland Women will feature on the HSBC World Sevens Series for the second time ever after receiving an invite to compete at Toulouse next weekend.
It is only the second time Scotland have featured on the circuit, having competed in Biarritz in 2019. This outing will provide Scott Forrest’s side with important competitive game time ahead of their participation at the Commonwealth Games at the end of July,
The 13-strong squad for Toulouse is made up entirely of players involved in the recent TikTok Women’s Six Nations, and will be co-captained Helen Nelson and Lisa Thomson.
“In such an important year for women’s rugby, with the Commonwealth Games on the horizon, being able to compete in Toulouse on the HSBC World Sevens Series provides some excellent preparation for us,” said Forrest.
“It is only the second time that Scotland have played a part in the series but we have a good amount of experience in the squad and I’m confident that we can go to France and give a good account of ourselves.”
Full squad –
- Lisa Thomson (Sale Sharks) Co-captain
- Abi Evans (DMP Durham Sharks)
- Megan Gaffney (Loughborough Lightning)
- Emma Orr (Biggar)
- Shona Campbell (Edinburgh University)
- Chloe Rollie (Exeter Chiefs)
- Rhona Lloyd (Les Lioness Du Stade Bordelais)
- Helen Nelson (Loughborough Lightning) Co-captain
- Caity Mattinson (Worcester Warriors)
- Meryl Smith (Edinburgh University)
- Coreen Grant (Saracens)
- Rachel McLachlan (Sale Sharks)
- Evie Wills (Hillhead Jordanhill)
Toulouse schedule (all times BST) –
- Friday 20 May
- New Zealand 7s v Scotland 7s, 8.52am
- Canada 7s v Scotland 7s, 4.00pm
- Saturday 21 May
- Spain 7s v Scotland 7s, 8.30am
- Remaining matches on Saturday 21 May and Sunday 22 May determined by pool placings
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Looks like a tough group of games on the Friday – good luck to them.