Scotland 7s’ place at Commonwealth Games confirmed

Men’s Rugby 7s has had their place at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games confirmed by Team Scotland.World record crowds supported the Scotland 7s team at Ibrox during the 2014 games in Glasgow and the team will be hoping to carry some of their HSBC World Sevens Series success into the Games next April.Scotland won the Cup Final in London this year for the second successive season and performed well in front of home crowds at the Glasgow Games, losing at the Quarter Final stage to eventual Gold medalists South Africa.7s is one of three competing sports confirmed by Team Scotland, along with Netball and Men’s Basketball and all will be hoping to win Scotland’s first Commonwealth Games team sport medal.It is an exciting year for the team, led by new Head Coach John Dalziel, with the Commonwealth Games taking place mid-way through the upcoming World Series before the season concludes with the World Cup in San Francisco.  Scotland 7s Head Coach John Dalziel said: Everyone is very focused and excited at the start of a huge season for rugby sevens. The opportunity to be be selected, to represent your country in a commonwealth games is very special and everyone is driving towards this.The memories of Glasgow 2014 and the way the Scottish crowd got behind the team are very special, the players and everyone involved will be looking to inspire those supporters and look forward to their passionate support in the Gold Coast.”Scotland 7s Captain Scott Riddell said: “I’ve been part of two previous Commonwealth Games, Delhi 2010 and Glasgow 2014 and each were amazing in their own right.”The home crowd at Ibrox was incredible, the noise was unbelievable and the Gold Coast presents a massive opportunity to improve on our finish from the last games.”The Commonwealth Games are different to the World Series, being part of a larger Team Scotland and supporting other athletes at the games is all part of the experience.”I’ve been lucky enough to compete in Australia a number of times and the reception we receive has always been brilliant. I’d encourage any Scots in that part of the world to come and support the team.”