HERIOT'S star Jim Thompson insists his second Murrayfield appearance this month will be the highlight of his rugby career – and the 23-year-old is certainly hoping for a happier outcome.
Thompson was yesterday named in a 12-man squad for the final two tournaments in the IRB Sevens World Series – next weekend's Emirates London leg at Twickenham and the Emirates Airline Edinburgh climax at the national stadium on May 31 and June 1.
Thompson, who has featured in each of the last three tournaments, has retained his place in a squad bolstered by the inclusion of Edinburgh's Andrew Turnbull and Colin Gregor of Glasgow Warriors. And, admitting that competition for game time will be tough, Thompson said, "With guys like Turny and Colin coming in, they are two backs who are renowned on the sevens stage, it won't be easy for me but I'll be happy to be involved as often as I can. Obviously the squad will rotate squad and it does take a squad of 12 because it is hard going."
Reflecting on his involvement so far, Thompson added: "Hong Kong was special, my debut in Dubai was brilliant and Wellington was a biggy. But the highlight will be running out at Murrayfield wearing a Scotland top. It's been the aim for me since the start of the season.
Playing at Murrayfield is pretty special, so playing for your country will be even better."
His last outing at the national stadium was for Heriot's in the Scottish Hydro Electric Cup final – a match that ended in a disappointing defeat at the hands of Melrose. He and his club mate Chris Fusaro will make a swift return and Thompson is delighted to have the chance to exorcise that particular ghost.
"It was a bit disappointing for Heriot's and it didn't go to plan. It's good that I've been given another opportunity to play there."
The Scots face a daunting task to escape from their group, having drawn South Africa, Australia and Argentina, but Thompson believes that, as the host nation, Stevie Gemmell's team have every right to feel confident.
"Getting into the top four has been our aim for a while and hopefully it will happen soon," he added. "The target is to make the quarter-finals to start with although obviously it's quite a tough group."
Gemmell is equally upbeat, saying: "We can't rule out the possibility of going all the way. People may think that strange but over the last two seasons, outwith the top four teams, we've been the most consistent on the circuit.
"We are sitting where we are in the rankings because we haven't been able to push on past the quarter finals. You get four (ranking) points for a quarter-final and 12 for a semi-final so it's a massive difference."
He believes that the core of the squad that has reached four cup quarter-finals this season, allied to the additional impetus from the inclusion of professional players, is capable of surprising the more fancied nations, and qualification for the last eight at least remains the focus.
"I'm very happy with the squad we've got. We've brought in a bit more experience. Having Andrew Turnbull makes a big difference in terms of pace. I think that will give us that little cutting edge we've maybe been lacking – we've created a lot of opportunities but haven't been finishing them. Our focus is on getting out of the group – South Africa, Australia and Argentina will be difficult. But we've beaten all three teams in the last year and I'm sure that if we can get the crowd behind us we can do that.
"When you get out of the group, I've always said that any team at that stage can beat each other."
He believes that the key factor could be the backing of a vocal Murrayfield support, although he is urging his men not to allow the noise he is anticipating to force his men to deviate from their game plan.
"Last year after beating South Africa I think everybody just expected us to turn up on day two and roll over Argentina – of course that just didn't happen. We have to learn from that. I have said to the players that you have to make sure the crowd don't control you – you have to control the crowd. Regardless of what's going on, we have to stick to what we've said we are going to do."
And Gemmell believes his men will thrive on the fact that some observers are already writing off their chances.
"We will certainly be underdogs, which is when the Scots do best," he admitted.
BLAIR NETS BRACE IN SCOTTISH RUGBY AWARDSEDINBURGH and Scotland scrum half Mike Blair landed an impressive double at the 2008 Scottish Rugby Awards held at Murrayfield Stadium last night, writes COLIN RENTON.
Blair, who skippered Scotland to victory in the Calcutta Cup, has been a model of consistency for club and country throughout the season and earned both international and Magners League player of the year awards.
"It's been a fantastic year for me. I always say that it's an honour to play for Scotland but to captain Scotland in this season's Six Nations was a dream come true," he said. "To win both the Magners and Scotland player of the season in the same year just caps off an excellent season for me."
There was further silverware for the Capital-based professional outfit when hooker Ross Ford took the award for the Apex Hotels Try of the Season – he finished off a length of the field move as Edinburgh posted a magnificent Heineken Cup win over Leicester Tigers at Murrayfield.
Among the Capital's amateurs, Angus Martyn was named Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership Division One player of the year for his part in Boroughmuir's march to the league title, and the Meggetland coach Eamon John was rewarded for his contribution to that success when he took the Coach of the Year trophy. There was also a double for Heriot's, with skipper Marc Teague honoured as Belhaven Club International Player of the Season, and Chris Fusaro awarded the Murray International award for top sevens player.
Lisa Martin (Murrayfield Wanderers) was women's club player of the year, Peter Allan (Watsonians) won the referee's award, and the Famous Grouse Spirit of Rugby Award went to Graeme Cunningham of Trinity Academicals for his unstinting efforts as an unsung club man – fittingly he received his award on his 65th birthday.
Scotland squad (to compete at the Emirates Airline London 7s and the Emirates Airline Edinburgh 7s): Scott Forrest (Ayr) CAPTAIN, Mike Adamson (Glasgow Warriors), Ben Addison (Stirling County), Grant Anderson (Ayr), Chris Fusaro (Heriot's), Colin Gregor (Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh), Steven Lawrie (Edinburgh), Colin Shaw (Glasgow Warriors), James Thompson (Heriot's), Andrew Turnbull (Edinburgh), Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors)
