Melrose trip for Clermont

By DAVID FERGUSON
Published on 02/03/2013 01:01

MELROSE have confirmed French club Clermont Auvergne as the latest star name to make the trip to the Greenyards’ famous sevens while India will also be represented for the first time 130 years after the world’s first tournament.

ASM Clermont Auvergne are managed by former Jed-Forest and Borders prop Neil McIlroy, and he was a key figure in securing the recent French champions as one of four guest sides for this year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Melrose Sevens on 13 April. McIlroy said: “The fantastic reputation of the tournament is widespread and it is an honour to send a team to represent Clermont, and indeed France.”

Rugby is still a minor sport in India but one of the fastest-growing and as part of Melrose’s work with EventScotland and Commonwealth Games 2014 a national development squad will compete at Melrose next month. Reigning champions Saracens also return alongside fellow English Premiership side Worcester Warriors. They join the hosts among all ten Scottish Premier One clubs as well as Hawick, Glasgow Hawks, Watsonians, Selkirk, Jed-Forest, Kelso, Peebles, Stewart’s Melville, Howe of Fife and Langholm in the 24-team draw.