Squad selected for Sainsbury’s Games sevens

Coach Chris Reid has selected a 12-strong squad to take part in the 2014 Sainsbury’s School Games in Manchester (Thursday 4- Sunday 7 September) as Scotland Women under-19 7s.The Games seek to create an opportunity for young athletes to compete at an elite level in a multi-sport event. This year Manchester is expected to welcome 1600 athletes over the course of the weekend. Eight teams in total will compete in the 7s.The women selected to represent Scotland in the sevens event will face Wales A, London and Midlands in their pool games. The top two sides in each of the two pools will advance to the Cup semi-final, with the other teams entering the Bowl competition.Reid said: “For many of the players involved in the squad, this will be their first experience of serious performance rugby which is a cut above the domestic and schools game they’ll be used to.”This tournament will be used as a development chance for Scotland Women 7s, as those selected have the potential to push through the ranks and into the senior international squads in the coming years. This is a great openingfor them to demonstrate that they’re ready to make the leap to the next tier of the game and prove themselves at that higher level.”The [Sainsbury’s] Games has previously provided the final pedestal for girls to make that step-up to international rugby as three of last year’s squad have since gone on to win Scotland caps.” Last year Emma Wassell, Rachael Cooke and Emily Irving competed in the Games prior to making their full international debut in the 2014 6 Nations campaign. Further to this, seven of the squad selected for the 2013 competition were awarded with caps for Scotland Women under-20.Scotland Women under-19 7s squad to play in the 2014 Sainsbury’s GamesAbigail Evans (Hillhead Jordanhill/Strathallan), Ailidh McCall (Kirkcaldy Ladies), Caitlin Harvey (Caithness), Ellie Wilson (Lismore), Fiona Beth Doran (Perthshire/Kinross RFC), Kathryn Stewart (Morgan Women / Webster’s High School), Liusaidh McMaster (RDVCLRFC), Lucy Park (Murrayfield Wanderers/The Royal High School), Niamh Durnan (Ayr), Rhona Lloyd (Murrayfield Wanderers) and Siobhan McMillan (Birkmyre/Gryffe High School).