Dalziel names first Scotland 7s squad for Dubai

Scotland performed well at the Assupol International warm-up tournament in South Africa, finishing runners up to the hosts and Dalziel has selected a blend of new and familiar faces as he gets his competitive tenure underway.

Robbie Fergusson will make his World Series debut, as will part-time core players Harvey Elms and Sam Pecqueur.

Earlier this week it was announced that Max McFarland signed a partnership contract with the 7s and Glasgow Warriors, he is included as is Melrose’s Ross McCann who shone under Dalziel at the World Rugby U20 Championships this summer.

Edinburgh Rugby’s Darcy Graham has recovered from a knee injury and is included having featured twice for the 7s during last season’s World Series.

Core players Gavin Lowe and Nick McLennan both return having missed the second half of last year’s campaign due to injury.

Hugh Blake joins his 7s teammates having reached the final of the Mitre 10 Cup Championship final with Bay of Plenty in October.

Scotland 7s Head Coach John Dalziel said: “We are all looking forward to the start of the season and adding new experience and depth to our squad.

“The lads have trained very well over a long period and they are a tight group. We will face some very experienced and settled teams so we know we have to be at our very best straight from the off.

“It’s the start of a new cycle with a great crop of young players coming through our age grade systems, many of whom I have worked with previously. The young players are complimented well with the experience of our core players and there is the huge responsibility of representing Scotland for all involved.”

Scotland 7s fixtures in the first leg of the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Series in Dubai, Friday 1 – Saturday 2 December. Kick-offs UK time, live on Sky Sports.

1 December

7.14am Scotland 7s v France 7s

10.58am Scotland 7s v Spain 7s

4.37pm Scotland 7s v England 7s

2 December

TBC

Scotland 7s squad to compete in Dubai (World Series tournaments in brackets)

1. Scott Riddell (57) (c)

2. Harvey Elms (0)

3. Hugh Blake (16)

4. Ross McCann (0)

5. Nick McLennan (12)

6. Jo Nayacavou (29)

7. Jamie Farndale (21)

8. Robbie Fergusson (0)

9. Darcy Graham (2)

10. Gavin Lowe (16)

11. Max McFarland (0)

12. Jack Cuthbert (3)

13. Sam Pecqueur (0)

Core players unavailable: Dougie Fife (Edinburgh Rugby), James Fleming (shoulder injury), Nyle Godsmark (leg injury), James Johnstone (Edinburgh Rugby).