Call me The Stag - but I was stuck with Bambi
The Rugby Paper|August 04, 2024
IT'S been great watching the Rugby Sevens at the Olympics just now.
- RORY MCKAY
Call me The Stag - but I was stuck with Bambi

I don't think anyone could have asked for a better showcase for the sport with sell-out crowds at the Stade de France and an Antoine Dupont-inspired home win. Back in the early days of the World Series, when playing in the Olympics would have been a distant dream, it wasn't unusual at all for XVs players to play 7s and I can personally vouch for its value in developing players because I got to represent Scotland on the World Series, while still a student at Strathclyde University. I'm a massive fan of that format of the sport and it's great to see it go from strength to strength.

I have to say I was a bit star struck by it all when I was called up in 2001. Anyone versed in Scottish rugby history and my dad made sure I was would know all there is about the then team manager Roy Laidlaw. There were some fantastic players in the sevens squad led superbly by Mark Lee; Roy's son Clark was a team-mate, as was Mike Blair, and it's great to see how fantastically well Clark is doing in coaching over in New Zealand.

While I obviously took huge pride from pulling on the dark blue jersey, one of the my most cringeworthy moments of my career came at the London 7s when I scored my one and only try against the West Indies. The boys gave it the old air rifle try celebration salute but the big screen only showed me taking imaginary aim and pulling the trigger back at them, much to my embarrassment. The boys still wind me up about it whenever I bump into them. I also got to play against Australia in the next leg in Wales. That whole experience was really cool but also very intense. I actually sat one of my final exams while I was down in Cardiff.

この蚘事は The Rugby Paper の August 04, 2024 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

この蚘事は The Rugby Paper の August 04, 2024 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

THE RUGBY PAPERのその他の蚘事すべお衚瀺
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
The Rugby Paper

Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash

LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.

time-read
2 分  |
November 10, 2024
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
The Rugby Paper

Dramatic late win boosts leaders

A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.

time-read
2 分  |
November 10, 2024
England need to be more consistent
The Rugby Paper

England need to be more consistent

I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.

time-read
4 分  |
November 10, 2024
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
The Rugby Paper

Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver

ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.

time-read
3 分  |
November 10, 2024
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
The Rugby Paper

Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions

TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.

time-read
3 分  |
November 10, 2024
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
The Rugby Paper

Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot

LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
The Rugby Paper

Four-try David calls the shots for Bears

MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.

time-read
2 分  |
November 10, 2024
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
The Rugby Paper

Scott-Young keen to follow his father

TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.

time-read
2 分  |
November 10, 2024
When value for money is not part of the deal
The Rugby Paper

When value for money is not part of the deal

ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.

time-read
3 分  |
November 10, 2024
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
The Rugby Paper

'I want to prove my worth to Bath'

OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.

time-read
3 分  |
November 10, 2024