Scotland 7s’ season comes to an end in Cape Town

With Team GB forming to provide a core team on both Men’s and Women’s 2023 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series circuits, Scotland’s involvement in the international abbreviated format is now subject to future undetermined schedules.

In South Africa, the Scots got off to a promising start in their Pre-Round of 16 tie with Jamaica on Friday 9 September, tries from Jamie Farndale (2), Femi Sofolarin and Kaleem Barreto contributing along with two Matt Davidson conversions to a 24-7 win.

Facing New Zealand in the Round of 16, Ciaran Beattie’s charges were up against it from the off against a rampant opponent, with a 43-5 reverse in knockout circumstances dropping Scotland down into the Challenge section of the tournament.

Kenya produced an inspired performance to secure a 24-5 victory in that Challenge encounter, before defeats to Chile, in extra time (24-21), and then Wales (24-21) put an end to Scottish involvement in Cape Town.

Head coach Beattie reflected: “It was a tough competition for us and with it being a straight knockout, any early defeats are telling. I am proud of the way the squad carried themselves not just in South Africa but this entire season.

“We had a raft of injuries to some key players in the lead-up to Cape Town but we were able to utilise a wider squad as a result and the guys who stepped in were a credit to the jersey.”