Rugby: Edinburgh to enter side for Gala Sevens

STEVIE Scott and Duncan Hodge have only just taken over at the Edinburgh helm but within weeks they could be picking up their first silverware.

The Scotland assistant coaches returned from Paris on Sunday and plunged straight into analysis of the Edinburgh squad and their opponents on Friday night, Ulster, after being asked to take the reins from sacked coaches Michael Bradley, Neil Back and Billy McGinty. The club sit tenth with just four wins from 17 matches in the RaboDirect PRO12, so hopes of a play-off spot are gone, but the club has confirmed it has accepted an invitation to play in the Five Star Taxis Gala Sevens.

It will be the first time that the professional club has played in the opening event of the Kings of the Sevens calendar, but with taking place on a free league weekend, due to the Heineken Cup semi-finals, on Saturday 6 April, Edinburgh may supplement their young side with some familiar pros.

Edinburgh Rugby elite development coach Bryan Easson, said: “We’re honoured to accept this invitation, to take our place in such an historic tournament and go head-to-head with some of the country’s top sevens sides.

“The Borders is well represented at Edinburgh Rugby and a number of our players earned their stripes playing in this series and, in some cases, playing international sevens. There are a lot of boys itching to get a chance to run out at Gala again, so we’re delighted to be involved. Hopefully a number of our fans will show their support at a great all-day event.”

The club will feature in a new style of sevens tournament at Gala, with 12 teams drawn across four pools, and Edinburgh will discover their opposition at the 122nd Gala Sevens tournament draw on Sunday. The Edinburgh Rugby 7s squad will be announced next week.