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.
Denne historien er fra August 04, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra August 04, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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England show who's No.1
ENGLAND women’s head coach John Mitchell says his side will take valuable lessons from the 24-12 win over world champions New Zealand as they build towards their WXV1 title defence.
Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it
THE Cherry and Whites are the enigmas of the Premiership.
Looking to go one step beyond this time around
NE small step is what it will take for Bath to go one better than last season and secure the Premiership for the first time, but it would be one of the biggest taken by the club in the professional era.
Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin
ENGLAND women opened the Allianz Stadium era at HQ with a victory over New Zealand to make it 17 wins on the bounce before their WXV title defence.
Time for Borthwick to prove his worth
HONEYMOON periods are not set in stone and in my estimation Steve Borthwick’s ends this summer. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still in good shape.
Barrington ready to power up the Mob
RICHARD Barrington has signed up to the Ampthill “Mob” reassured that he’ll still have a target on his back most weeks.
Skivington keen to build identity
GLOUCESTER won their first trophy for nine years last season and reached the Challenge Cup final, but when George Skivington went on holiday the day after the campaign ended the words in his head were never again.
Roebuck targets England success
WINNING a maiden England Test cap to top the best season of his career will not be enough for Sale winger Tom Roebuck.
Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving
TOBY Booth admits telling his Ospreys players that he would be leaving at the end of the season was one of the hardest things he has had to do in his career.
Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals
DORKING had to dig deep in another tight game between two old rivals, with the lead changing hands twice and result in doubt right up to the final whistle.