Namibia-born McGuigan joins up with Scotland sevens

Published on Thursday 12 January 2012 01:30

SCOTLAND’S bid to deepen their pool of players has taken them to South Africa with Scottish-qualified centre Byron McGuigan agreeing a sevens contract.

The Scotsman can reveal that the 22-year-old was in Glasgow last month and, this week, the SRU agreed a sevens contract with the youngster from Cape Town. He is now in training with the sevens squad in preparation for the resumption of the HSBC World Series events next month, and is also in talks with the Warriors about joining them on a full-time deal this summer.

McGuigan, born in Namibia but schooled in Cape Town, started out with the Hamilton club that has won the Melrose Sevens. He came through the Western Province academy before joining the Border Bulldogs outfit two years ago. His mother, however, is a Glaswegian, which qualifies him instantly for Scotland.

McGuigan, whose nickname in South Africa is “McG”, commented: “This is a dream come true. I have always aspired to play professional rugby, but to be able to join up with the Scottish Sevens team and hopefully tour on the IRB circuit is incredible.

“Glasgow Warriors are a great side and I cannot wait to join up with them for the 2012-13 season. Hopefully, I can contribute in some way to further success in these great European competitions. To qualify and potentially represent Scotland on the international stage is very exciting, but, right, now I will be focusing on sevens and trying to work my way into their squad.”

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Goongoozler

Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 08:24 PM

agree with.#1.......Why hasn't he been selected in Boks 7s up till now then ..............ps..... Is he related to someone here ......... just wondering..... cant just come from nowhere and walk straight into team ........ recently its been documented [....Robertson and Jedi ] were released by pro's but got in touch with Shiel who gave them 7s contracts.....its who you know in Scottish rugby circle's ....Stinks

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ianbhoy

Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 06:57 PM

Think this is brilliant for this young lad with a Glasgow born mother coming to our country to fulfill a" lifetime ambition", his words not mine.Also how do you know he wasn`t good enough to play in his birth countries line up?Go on young MC G and show them all what you can do, we`re all behind you big time.

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Auld Reekie

Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 02:04 PM

Surely there's a Scottish born lad playing here good enough to have been given the chance in 7s squad .. Why bring in an overseas guy thats not good enough in his place of birth and parachute him straight into 7s squad .. There's all too few avenues at present into professional rugby in Scotland for Club players...most are continuously overlooked ..Shiel should have looked here first

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