Chris Paterson toasts Bill McLaren charity’s involvement in Glasgow Sevens

It will be the first time at Scotstoun for the penultimate leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series, which was previously held at Murrayfield.

Sixteen of the world’s best international sevens teams will take part in the event on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 May, and the agreement with the tournament organisers will allow the foundation to promote its aims to the crowd.

There will also be a collection to raise funds for its work, and thirsty spectators will be able to sample Bill’s IPA beer, which has been produced for the foundation by the Black Isle Brewing Company near Inverness.

Chris Paterson, the record-holder for Scotland appearances, is one of many international players for whom the Voice of Rugby plays a big part in the soundtrack of their careers. In the case of the Edinburgh full-back, one special occasion which is always linked with McLaren’s commentary came in his breakthrough season, when he scored a length-of-the-pitch try at the 1999 Melrose Sevens as part of the victorious Gala team.

“I grew up listening to Bill’s commentary, and sevens has always been a big part of my rugby life,” Paterson said yesterday. “Winning the Melrose Sevens with Gala back in 1999 helped launch my career and Bill’s description of that try is stuck in my memory. I think it’s really fitting that the Foundation has this official link to the Emirates Airline tournament.”

Gala’s victory over South African team Villager in the final was the culmination of a remarkable few weeks in the life of Paterson, who was a PE student then and about to make the transition from amateur to professional status. The club won the Division Two title, the Scottish Cup and the Melrose Sevens in successive weeks, so it is little wonder that the 34-year-old remembers that formative period so well. Paterson was joined at yesterday’s launch by McLaren’s daughter Linda Lawson and her husband, the former Scotland scrum-half Alan Lawson. “Dad adored sevens,” she Lawson said.

“His final TV commentary was at the 2002 Melrose Sevens and I remember how excited he was when he came back from the Hong Kong Sevens for the first time. We are delighted that the Foundation will benefit from the official charity status at the Emirates Airline Glasgow 7s.”

In turn, rugby as a whole should benefit from the foundation’s work, as one of its key aims is to raise funds to support the development of the sport and the promotion of its values. Each pint of Bill’s IPA consumed will therefore play a part in the growth of the game – a fact to which many responsible drinkers will be sure to raise a glass.

Paterson has no formal tie-up with the foundation, but has been a willing volunteer for ventures involving it since it began. “Having been a big fan of Bill’s, I’m delighted to be able to help promote this involvement with the Emirates Glasgow Sevens,” he said. “I think it’s great to have it in Glasgow, and I’m sure they will do a really good job. The best players in the world will be there and there’s a real party atmosphere for the crowd at sevens, although it’s hard work on the field of play and one mistake can be punished in an instant.”

Paterson had a smaller role to play at Murrayfield last Saturday than he did in that final 13 years ago, having been omitted from the Edinburgh squad which beat Toulouse 19-14 to reach the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup for the first time. But that fact did not diminish his enthusiasm for the victory, and he had a particular word of praise for the man who took his place at full-back, Tom Brown.

“It was a fantastic win, and although there were only two points in it until the last kick of the game it felt like we were in control. Tom has been playing really well, and if I can help him in any way, so be it. Having said that, it would be great to be involved in the semi-final at the end of the month.”