Sevens team get chance to shine in Singapore

Published on Thursday 30 October 2008 21:46

A NUMBER of new faces are being given a chance to impress Scotland Sevens coach Steve Gemmell during the SSC International Rugby Sevens in Singapore this weekend.

They will play in the tournament tomorrow and Sunday under the Scottish Thistles name, but in reality it is the full Scottish squad. And players know a good performance will see the coach pencil their name in for Scotland's trip to the IRB Sevens World Series opener in Dubai at the end of November.

Among the new boys looking to impress is Aberdeen Grammar centre Ashleah McCulloch. The youngster is a member of Scottish Rugby's Area Institute-supported National Academy and has been in sparkling form this term, scoring six tries in Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership Division Two.

His club coach Mike O'Donovan said: "Ashleah is not the biggest, but he is strong and has a great ability to stay on his feet which will benefit him in sevens.

"He has an eye for the try line and can get outside and past a defender on a number of occasions during a match. He is just young, but it is great for him and the club that he has been selected for this trip and it is a big honour."

Another newcomer is Boroughmuir winger Tom Bury, a Scotland under-20 cap last season who has touched down six times for his club so far this season.

His club-mate Rory Couper, who himself played for Scotland in Singapore twice when it was part of the IRB circuit, believes Bury has the attributes to do well.

"Tom is a more confident player this season and has been taking a lot of chances. He is a quick boy, who is well suited to the sevens game.

"I really enjoyed my experiences in Singapore, it is a fantastic place to play, and it is good to see that Scotland are giving more young players a chance again this season."

Another prospect, Selkirk's Alex Dunbar, has had to pull out with a knee injury. He's replaced by Stirling's Kevin Bryce.

Squad: Scott Forrest (Ayr), Roddy Grant (West of Scotland), Chris Fusaro (Heriot's), Struan Dewar (Heriot's), Kevin Bryce (Stirling County), Ashleah McCulloch (Aberdeen Grammar Rugby), Mike Adamson (Glasgow Warriors), Alex Blair (Edinburgh Accies), Graham Hogg, Rory Hutton (both Hawick), Grant Anderson (Ayr), Tom Bury (Boroughmuir).