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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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.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
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.
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.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
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.
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.
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.
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.
'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.
