Rugby sevens: Ruaridh Jackson to shake off Scotland blow with sevens bid

RUARIDH Jackson will attempt to shrug off the disappointment of missing out on Scotland’s summer tour by steering Glasgow Warriors to sevens success this afternoon.

The Warriors fly-half has been plagued by injury and the hamstring tear that forced him to sit out the period between the World Cup and the RBS Six Nations allowed Edinburgh’s Greig Laidlaw and Glasgow rival Duncan Weir to steal ahead and into the tour squad. Jackson was in the tour party until it was cut to 28, so instead of resting up for the southern hemisphere trip, he has agreed to head to Dumbreck today for Cartha’s NCS Glasgow City Sevens in a Warriors team also featuring Scott Wight, Gordon Reid and special guest, assistant fitness coach Huw Jones.

It is the final tournament in the Legacy Sevens Series and Howe of Fife lead the standings by eight points from Boroughmuir, with Aberdeen Grammar third, 18 points off the lead, and Dundee three points further back, with 30 points going to the winners today.

In the Borders, Jed-Forest will receive the ‘Kings of the Sevens’ trophy at Riverside Park today. Jed claimed the 2012 Kings crown despite losing out to Watsonians in the Selkirk final last weekend. Coach Kevin Amos said: “We want to step up and confirm we are the best side on the sevens circuit this year.”

NCS Glasgow City Sevens: First round (first tie 1pm): Glasgow Warriors v Boroughmuir, Glasgow Hawks v Dalziel, Howe of Fife v GHA, Aberdeen GSFP v Cartha Queen’s Park, Munster v Hamilton, Stirling County v Whitecraigs, Samurai Scottish v Ayr, Hillhead/Jordanhill v Dundee HSFP.

Jed-Forest Sevens: First round (first tie 1.30pm): Falkirk v Peebles, Melrose v Hawick YM, Musselburgh v Selkirk, Watsonians v Kelso, Gala v Edinburgh Accies, Jed-Forest v Berwick, Edinburgh University v Langholm, Hawick v Heriot’s.