Ruaridh rules out return to Olympics
RUARIDh McConnochie wants to go back to Japan but revealed he will not return for the Olympics next year.
The former Sevens star, who converted to the XI game last year and then was a shock pick in eddie Jones’ World Cup squad, won a silver medal with Team GB in 2016.
But the Bath back says travelling to Tokyo with Britain would be too tricky, so he will aim to make england’s summer tour of Japan instead.
‘ If there was more time between our season and the
Olympics I’d be saying that I’d love a shot,’ said the 28-yearold. ‘But it’s six weeks from the end of our season and three weeks post-season before they would have to select a side.
‘I get on with the coach Simon Amor really well and we spoke about it a while ago.
‘It would be far too hard. It’s only been two years since I left Sevens and the game will have changed massively.
‘To try to get up to scratch in three weeks firstly might not be fair on others who’ve trained these past two years and secondly I may not be selected even if I tried.’
McConnochie played only once at the World Cup, scoring a try against the USA, and was disappointed with his impact at the tournament despite living out his dream.
‘I was a bit p***** off after the USA game with my own performance,’ he added.
‘I didn’t fire enough shots. But once I settled that down I realised I was at a World Cup with a special group of players and management.
‘To end up getting to a final was very special. I never in a million years thought I’d be involved in the training camp, let alone going to the World Cup. It was an incredible experience and one I will remember for the rest of my life.’
McConnochie now has two silver World Cup medals — in Sevens and XVs — to add to a bronze from the Commonwealth Games and silver at the Olympics.
he knows he will have to star for Bath, who face a do-or-die european match at home to Clermont tonight, if he is to play for england again.
‘Performances for Bath are what I have to smash,’ he said. ‘ I never thought I’d be an england player. Obviously I want to carry on, but it’s been a dream come true whatever happens.’