Hoyland joins Scotland 7s for Paris event

Fully-capped internationalist Damien Hoyland is the only change to Head Coach Calum MacRae’s Scotland 7s squad for the penultimate leg of the 2015/16 World Rugby HSBC Sevens Series, in Paris this weekend (Friday 13-Sunday 15 May).The Edinburgh Rugby flyer, 22, will travel as part of the 12-man squad to make his first appearance on the circuit since the final leg of last year’s Series, in London. He debuted for Scotland 7s as part of the Rugby Europe Grand Prix Sevens Series in September 2014, before travelling with the squad to the opening leg of the 2014/15 HSBC Sevens World Series on the Gold Coast, Australia. In his eight World Series caps, Hoyland has accumulated 90 points through 18 tries, five of which came in his last outing with the national 7s side at Twickenham, prior to receiving a full-international cap for Scotland in their summer Test away to Italy.Hoyland replaces Glasgow Warriors’ Fraser Lyle in an otherwise unchanged side.MacRae said: “I’m delighted to welcome Damien back into the squad for Paris.”Last series he was a stand out performer for us, and gained a full international cap off the back of his displays.”He is excited about playing on the World Series again and is high on confidence having just been selected for the national team’s tour to Japan. “Damien will add potency to our attack.”MacRae’s side currently sit 11th in the Series standings, one point behind this weekend’s hosts, France, and five behind pool opponents, Samoa Scotland 7s open their Paris 7s campaign against Fiji this Friday night, before taking on Samoa and Wales on the second day of competition at Stade Jean Bouin, home of Stade Francais. MacRae’s side are to face Fiji for the first time in the 2015/16 season, yet are more than familiar with both Samoa, and Wales, having played them six and three times respectively – Scotland sharing the spoils 3-a-piece with former, and defeating the latter on two of the three occasions.MacRae added: “Fiji, Samoa and Wales are all quality ball-playing teams.  They similarly suit a high tempo, unstructured game and will test our defence. We will have to be at our very best to win.”GB 7s is waiting in the background for some members of our squad, but our primary focus is to finish the Series strongly for Scotland, and maintain the run we put together in Singapore.”Controlling the ball will be critical to achieving this.” Scotland 7s pool fixtures at Paris 7s, round nine of the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Series – live on Sky Sports (all times are BST)Friday 13 MayScotland v Fiji (6.44pm)Saturday 14 MayScotland v Samoa (10.36am)Scotland v Wales (1.25pm) Scotland 7s squad to compete in Paris 7sScott Riddell Dougie Fife Hugh Blake James Johnstone Nick McLennan Mark Robertson Jamie Farndale Damien Hoyland Joe Nayacavou Scott Wight CAPTAIN James Fleming Glenn Bryce