Bennett given Scotland 7s call for South Africa

Glasgow Warriors centre, Mark Bennett (pictured), has been flown out to Port Elizabeth to join Scotland 7s for the third leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series.The 20-year-old back, who was involved in the Scotland squad for the recent viagogo Autumn Tests, is an injury replacement for James Johnstone. If he takes the field on Saturday (7 December) at the Nelson Mandela Bay 7s, against France (10.50am), Australia (1.56pm) or Fiji (5.14pm), he will win his first cap with the abbreviated national team. All times are UK times. Joseva Nayacavou, who earned his first cap in the recent Gold Coast tournament, also joins up with the team in Port Elizabeth, replacing injured forward, Chris Dean. Head coach, Stephen Gemmell, said:Obviously, we’re disappointed to lose James and Chris, but I’m happy with the calibre of players that we have been able to replace them with for this weekend.”It’s great that Gregor Townsend and Glasgow Warriors have been able to support us by releasing Mark to us and I’m looking forward to seeing what a promising young player like this can offer on the World Series circuit.”Scotland 7s squad to compete in South Africa 7s (7-8 December): Scott Riddell, Joseva Nayacavou (Heriot’s), Gregor Young, Jack Ferguson (Watsonians), John Houston, Mark Robertson, Alex Glashan, Colin Gregor (captain), Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors), Andrew Turnbull, Lee Jones (Edinburgh Rugby) and Michael Maltman.Unavailable for selection due to injury: Struan Dewar (knee), Michael Fedo (shoulder), James Fleming (foot), Neil Herron (knee), Colin Shaw (shoulder), Russell Weir (knee), Chris Dean (knee), James Johnstone (shoulder) and Lewis Young (shoulder).