The athletes, aged 17 and 18 years old, will compete for Team Scotland alongside athletes from the six other sports on the Trinidad and Tobago programme: Netball, Beach Volleyball, Triathlon, Athletics, Cycling and Swimming.

Scotland’s 7s squad will be led by head coach Craig Dods, and captained by Johnny Ventisei, who was recently announced as part of Glasgow Warriors’ academy for the 2023/24 season.

Team Scotland 2023 will depart for Trinidad and Tobago on 1 August, ready to make the most of the multi-sport Games experience and aiming to follow in the footsteps of previous Team Scotland Youth Games athletes.

Head coach Dods said: “We’re delighted to confirm the 13-player squad that have been selected to represent Team Scotland at the 2023 Youth Commonwealth Games.

“The 13 boys will now take part in an intensive month-long programme before flying out at the start of August.

“All players selected have been part of the FOSROC Scottish Rugby Academy or involved with our SQ programme. Six members of the team represented Scotland at the U18 Six Nations Festival in Dublin earlier this year.

“I’m excited to see how this group of players progress in the coming weeks and watch them compete on the international stage.”

Captain Johnny Ventisei added: “I’m over the moon to be asked to captain this team at Trinbago 2023. I’m buzzing to represent Team Scotland with the rest of the boys in a once in a lifetime multi-sport games experience in an incredible location.”

Congratulating the athletes on their selection, Chef de Mission, Chris Purdie, said: “I am delighted to welcome the 13 Rugby 7s players to Team Scotland, who now make up the complete Team Scotland squad heading out to Trinidad and Tobago. The hard work these athletes have put in to get here is fantastic and deserve this opportunity to represent their country on the world stage. I look forward to watching them compete with pride for Team Scotland at Trinbago 2023.”

Team Scotland Rugby 7s squad for the 2023 Youth Commonwealth Games:

Fergus Watson

Ben Morriss

Joe Townshend

Jack Craig

Fergus Wood

Robbie Baird

Matthew Urwin

Jack Hocking

Hugo Alderson

Johnny Ventisei ©

Benjamin Roger

Ross Birnie

Ritchie Mitchell

For further information on fixtures as the competition nears, you can visit: www.trinbago2023.com

Header image is of Jack Brown during the recent Men’s U18 Six Nations Festival in Dublin.