Great Britain Sevens squads named for Dubai World Series event

The Great Britain Sevens men’s and women’s squads set to compete in the Dubai Sevens this weekend have been announced.

The men’s squad take on New Zealand, Spain and Australia whilst the women’s squad play Canada, Japan and Australia in the pool stage fixtures, this Saturday, before more matches are played on Sunday to determine their final placing in the tournament.

The men’s sevens programme now operates full-time from Oriam, Scotland’s sports performance centre at Heriot Watt University, with a small group of core Scottish contracted sevens players.

Contracted players Roan Frostwick, Damien Hoyland, Matt Davidson and Josh Radcliffe are selected, alongside Edinburgh Rugby pro-academy prospects Rory McHaffie and Ollie Duncan as well as Glasgow Warriors youngster Brent Jackson. Luca Bardelli completes the Scottish contingent. GB men’s sevens will be captained by Charlton Kerr who has previously played for England and GB7s.

The GB women’s sevens programme is predominantly operated out of England and Wales with their squad this weekend made up of players from those two countries. Several of the Wales-based players in the women’s squad have experience in the 15s game within the Celtic Challenge, while a number of the English players are assigned to Premiership sides.

Scottish Rugby has recently taken charge of the oversight of the men’s and women’s Great Britain Sevens. The programme is run by Ciaran Beattie, who is also coaching the men’s squad, while Jonathan Hooper will lead the women’s squad. Beattie was previously head coach of Scotland Sevens and has led Great Britain Sevens since Scotland, England and Wales combined to compete on the World Series due to mandated World Rugby Olympic qualification requirements in 2022. Hooper previously coached Shogun Sevens and used to be head coach of Wales Women’s U18s 7s.

Great Britain Sevens Director of Rugby Ciaran Beattie said: “I’m excited for the start of this season, because it’s one where we can really build on throughout. Dubai is the starting point for both of these squads and we’re really excited to see how much they can build and where they can get to over the season.

“We’ve had limited time together in the build-up, but it’s been utilised well and there’s been good focus and energy.

“We’ve got a great blend of some experienced players but also some really good youngsters who are rip-roaring to go.

“The sevens circuit is so demanding on each individual player that by exposing our young talent to it they’re only going to get better.

“Our contracted group of men’s players have trained well recently and we’re looking forward to seeing how they combine with the other players selected. Rory McHaffie is a young talent within Scottish Rugby and we’re excited to see how sevens can develop him and push him on to where we believe he can get to.

“In the women’s team, Solana Shaw de Leon is someone young and exciting who has trained well that we’re looking towards the future with. Katie Shillaker and Eloise Hayward return as experienced players and I’m excited to see how they progress through the year.”

World Series Pool Fixtures – Saturday 29 November – All matches are live on Rugby Pass

Men’s pool fixtures

New Zealand v Great Britain – 8.26am

Spain v Great Britain – 11.32am

Australia v Great Britain – 3.50pm

Women’s pool fixtures:

Canada v Great Britain – 8.04am

Great Britain v Japan – 10.43am

Australia v Great Britain- 2.11pm