SRU in talks over GB sevens team for 2016 Rio Olympics

Published on Thursday 7 April 2011 22:16

THE SCOTTISH Rugby Union is working on an agreement with its counterparts in England, Wales and Ireland to ensure Scottish players are part of the first Great Britain team to compete in the Olympic Games sevens, in Rio De Janeiro in 2016.

The SRU and International Rugby Board welcomed the decision to include rugby in the Games as a major breakthrough in the campaign to make rugby a truly global game, largely through its ability to launch millions of pounds in investment into rugby in many countries where rugby remains an amateur sport. However, that means the four home unions coming together as one. That has proved impossible for the countries to accept in footballing terms, but with the precedent of the British and Irish Lions in rugby there is confidence that agreement will be reached.

On the eve of the 128th staging of the original sevens tournament in Melrose, IRB chief executive Mike Miller confirmed that the IRB is happy to accept what the unions agree, and hopes plans will be finalised this year for the team to take part in a qualification process to be firmed up over 2012-13. He said: "We don't have the same issues that other sports have over forming a Great Britain team. We already have a template in the British and Irish Lions. They're used to playing together. We've said to the unions it is your decision on how you want to do it. We hope they'll have it sorted out by the end of the year."

An SRU spokesman said: "We have held positive meetings with the other home unions in respect of Team GB. Those meetings are ongoing and there is a lot of detail still to be ironed yet. The Olympics, and the Commonwealth Games, offer us a great opportunity to promote rugby and support our drive for increased participation."