Scottish Rugby can confirm today that it has expressed interest to the game’s worldwide governing body, the International Rugby Board (IRB), in tendering to host the Rugby World Cup 7s in 2013. Seven other unions have expressed interest to the IRB and now work will begin in detail to determine whether Scottish Rugby can proceed to the formal bid stage. Scottish Rugby’s Chief Executive Gordon McKie said: “Rugby sevens are very much regarded as the flagship for the global development of our sport – and that gives great pride to us in Scotland given that we gave the game to the world. “Scottish Rugby hosted the inaugural Rugby World Cup 7s in 1993 and, of course, 7s will ensure rugby returns to the Olympic family in time for the summer games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. “We are also very proud that 7s will be one of major sports at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. “But what will be crucial in our deliberations on whether we submit a formal bid for the 2013 RWC 7s will be that such a bid must sit alongside our strategic objectives. “We cannot advance a bid if it were to compromise the overall financial stability of the game in Scotland and hosting such a tournament would be about much more than the event itself. “It would be vitally important that the legacy from a 2013 RWC 7s included greater access to quality facilities for the youth of our country and a consequent increase in participation in rugby. “As part of the exposure for the event we would need to attract a host broadcaster on appropriate commercial terms and as most sports in Scotland will relate that is particularly challenging. “That said, we look forward to working in partnership with government, both at national and local level and with Scottish broadcasters, as we examine the bid documents.” All unions who have expressed an interest have until mid December to decide whether to submit a tender. The deadline for tender submissions is mid-February 2010 with the IRB Council selecting the host union for the 2013 RWC 7s in May 2010.

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