Vegas 7s: Two Mountains To Climb
Dalziel’s side were struck by injuries during their last outing in Sydney, but are boosted by the return of five key players with Glenn Bryce, Harvey Elms, co-captains Jamie Farndale and Robbie Ferguson and Nyle Godsmark all passed fit to play in Las Vegas
Thursday 28 February 2019 | 09:00
Scotland ‘s Jamie Farndale is among the five key players that will be returning to the USA 7s in Las Vegas this weekend. They face the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team, Australia and Wales during pool play. Photo: Zimbio
The Scotland 7s team are in for a tough opener against the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team at the USA 7s in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Scotland 7s coach John Dalziel said they have two big mountains to face in Pool D
“We are thankful for the continued support of both Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby,” he told The Scrum Magazine.
“Looking ahead to the tournament we have a bit of a mountain to climb with Fiji and Australia up first and then Wales to finish off a really tough group. However, the players have responded to the challenge and know it’s about getting our game back to the performance levels we saw in Hamilton.”
In the New Zealand 7s in Hamilton, Scotland reached the Cup quarterfinal where they lost 19-15 to USA and came fourth in the tournament.
To boost their campaign, the Scots have brought in Edinburgh halfback Charlie Shiel.
The 21-year-old, made his Scotland 7s debut in Paris at the end of last season, and is in line for a second appearance for the national 7s team in the World Series this weekend.
Dalziel’s side were struck by injuries during their last outing in Sydney, but are boosted by the return of five key players with Glenn Bryce, Harvey Elms, co-captains Jamie Farndale and Robbie Ferguson and Nyle Godsmark all passed fit to play in Las Vegas.
Former 15-a-side internationalist Jack Cuthbert has also recovered from a hand injury to be involved with the 7s squad for the first time this season, but core squad members Kyle Steyn, Mungo Mason and Ally Miller have not been considered – Steyn will remain with Glasgow Warriors while back-row pair Mason and Miller will stay at Edinburgh Rugby.
“Training has gone well and with such a short turnaround from Hamilton and Sydney our key priority has been getting the squad recovered and back to full fitness. The medics and support staff have done a great job to get everyone back and available in such a short period of time.
“We have also been able to provide key cover to the pro teams during this time with Kyle Steyn and Robbie Fergusson in training with Glasgow Warriors and Ally Miller and Mungo Mason in with Edinburgh.
“Robbie, our co-captain, has re-joined the squad here in Vegas which is a huge boost. Kyle and Ally have made a great impact with both Glasgow and Edinburgh respectively which is great for the guys and also for the 7s programme.
“On the other side it’s great to have Shiel come in from Edinburgh to gain exposure and continue his long-term development. He is a great kid and an exciting up and coming talent who will really benefit from exposure at this level,” Dalziel added.
Scotland: 1 Scott Riddell, 2 Nyle Godsmark, 3 Alec Coobmes, 4 Robbie Ferguson (co-captain), 5 Harvey Elms, 6 Glenn Bryce, 7 Jamie Farndale (co-captain), 8 Charlie Shiel, 9 Sam Pecqueur, 10 Gav Lowe, 11 Max McFarland, 12 Ross McCann, 13 Jack Cuthbert
Edited by Grace Narayan
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