Fleming reflects on a special series triumph
Now the Shire star is back home to plan his wedding
James Fleming can finally offer a helping hand towards his wedding arrangements.
The Scotland Sevens rugby star, from Perth, ties the knot with fiancée Rosslyn in the coming weeks.
And the planning will be all the sweeter after finishing the World Rugby Sevens Series with a stunning victory for his country.
Fleming played a vital role in Scotland’s curtainclosing London Series win at Twickenham to retain their title.
Defeating England 12-7 in the final, on their own patch, will live long in the memory.
“Twickenham was the last tournament of the season so we have some time off now,” the former Perthshire Rugby player said.
“It’ll be nice to get home and spend some time with my family and friends.
“I’m getting married in three weeks time so while I’ve been off around the world, my fiancée has been doing all the planning. So it’s my turn to do some now.
“It was a really special moment to win the title last year.
“Even being in our first final I don’t think anyone expected us to even be there, let alone for us to go on and win it.
“This year was different, because we were the holders, we had a title to defend.
“We have always had the belief as a squad but this year there was also a lot of hype around what we did the previous year and whether that was just a flash in the pan.
“So to go on and win it again was really something special. It was huge for the squad.
“It was a bit of a fairy tale really to play England in the final, at Twickenham.
“We played them in the cup the previous week in Paris so we were pretty confident going in to the match.
“We’ve actually beaten England the last three years at Twickenham but that one in the final probably tasted the sweetest.
“The stadium certainly emptied quite quickly after it.”
Fleming was pleased to be able to give members of the squad and coaching staff, who are moving on, a fitting send off.
“The win against New Zealand in the quarter finals was massive in itself,” he explained.
“To be the first team ever to beat them in our 112 year history is something we are all very proud of.
“It’s amazing to have made history and to have a memory like that no one can take away.
“Our head coach and conditioning coach are moving on now so it was awesome to be able to give them one last memory.
“We are also losing two of our most influential players.
“Mark Robertson has hung up his boots and Scott Wight is moving on so it was amazing for them and their families to finish with that win.”
The series ending triumph in London resulted in Scotland nailing down a seventh place finish overall.
“We had a really strong start to the series, sitting fourth in the table after four events,” Fleming, a former Perth High School pupil, told the Perthshire Advertiser.
“Unfortunately we picked up season ending injuries to James Johnstone, Gavin Lowe and Nick McLennan who are key players for us.
“We only have a small squad of players so this hit us pretty hard in the middle of the season and we dropped down the table.
“To make a final, only our second ever, in Paris last week then go one better and win one in London was a strong end to the season.
“It shows what we can do with a strong squad.
“Seventh is the highest we have ever finished so it’s still a great achievement but in being only a few points short of breaking in to the top six that leaves us a wee bit frustrated.”
There is plenty to look forward to for Fleming, now 29, with the World Cup and Commonwealth Games on the future schedule.
“Over the last two years Sevens has really grown into its position in Scottish Rugby,” Fleming said.
“It’s an awesome development tool for young players, exposing them to the highest standards of international rugby.
“This has been emphasised most recently by players like Damian Hoyland and Magnus Bradbury who have gained full Fleming with team mates at Twickenham Fleming uses his speed to navigate away from a New Zealand tackle
international honours off the back of strong performances on the Sevens circuit.
“It’s also a great way to introduce people to the sport. The shorter, high scoring and exciting nature of it makes it easier to understand than a full 80 minutes of rugby.
“From a personal point of view I am massively privileged to be able to represent my country playing a sport I love.
“While the opportunity is still there for me I will hold on to it until my body tells me otherwise.
“Next season is a big year for us with a World Cup and Commonwealth Games so I will be doing everything I can to be involved in both of those.”