Team GB rugby sevens squads confirmed for Tokyo Olympic Games

18 Jun 2021

The British Olympic Association (BOA) has confirmed the selection of 24 rugby sevens players who will represent Team GB at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The men’s competition will take place from 26-28 July, with the women’s tournament following on 29-31 July with the gold medal match happening on ‘Super Saturday’. All the action will take place at the Tokyo Stadium.

Hannah Smith will make her Olympic Games debut, having previously represented Scotland at seven events. Lisa Thomson is also named as the women’s reserve.

Of the four Scottish men named in head coach Tony Roques’ 12-man squad, Max McFarland is the most experienced of the quartet having played in 26 HSBC World Sevens Series events, scoring some 72 tries in that time.

2019/20 Scotland 7s captain Robbie Fergusson has featured in 25 events on the circuit, amassing 347 points through 45 tries and 61 conversions.

Both Ross McCann and Alec Coombes have represented Scotland at 16 events, scoring eight and 17 tries respectively.

Made possible by an innovative commercial partnership with The National Lottery, the wider squads have been operating as GB7s based at Loughborough University since March and competed at the International Rugby 7s tournament at St. George’s Park and HPC International 7s in Ireland.

Commenting on selection, Team GB Chef de Mission for the Tokyo Olympic Games, Mark England, said: “Rugby sevens made its memorable debut at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games with both men’s and women’s teams inspiring fans across the globe with the fast pace and excitement that this sport has to offer. The men’s team coming home with a silver medal was a superb achievement.

“There is a huge amount of experience across both of these squads, not only from Rio 2016 but from many years of competitive rugby sevens which will stand these athletes in great stead heading into Tokyo. We’d like to congratulate everyone on their selection and look forward to seeing sevens in action at the Tokyo Stadium this summer.”

Women’s head coach Scott Forrest said: “Selection was very tough. We’ve had 22 players involved in the programme since we started in March who have created a very competitive environment. Every one of those players has been so important. And it’s not just about the successful 13 players who have been selected today. If we are successful in Tokyo, it’s going to be down to the whole squad, the whole 22 not just those who are going out to perform at the Olympic Games.

“I’ve seen massive improvements in the team and what we’ve managed to do since March. We’re now excited to see what we can do in 41 days’ time from now.

“For the 13 that are selected, when you look at the squad on paper it’s very exciting. This squad for me has the potential to go and win a gold medal.”

Men’s head coach Tony Roques said: “We’re massively grateful to the National Lottery for us to be on this journey together.

“We’ve become a very tight-knit group and everyone has contributed.

“It was really tough to deliver the news to a lot of people I’ve known for a long time.

“Ultimately, I feel I’ve done what was right for us to be successful at the Olympic Games.

“I’d like to congratulate those selected. They’ve worked extremely hard over the last few months and deserve this opportunity.

“We’re all very much looking forward to continuing our preparation and then heading to Tokyo.”