Kennedy: Leave Scots sevens alone

Scotland call-up Sean Kennedy says he would “hate to think” that the nation’s sevens team might be scrapped at the top level to make way for a combined Great Britain side.

The 26-year-old Edinburgh scrum-half has been drafted into Gregor Townsend’s squad for next month’s summer tour, replacing clubmate Sam Hidalgo-clyne, who was forced out with a hamstring injury last weekend.

Kennedy credits the sevens programme as providing an important part of his development and he was back with Calum Macrae’s squad during the Las Vegas leg of the HSBC World Series earlier this year.

Scotland finished the circuit on a high with a historic first-ever win over New Zealand before going on to beat England in the final to retain their London Sevens title. However, just days later it emerged that there could be plans for England, Wales and Scotland to combine from 201819 as part of a restructure to the HSBC series and with preparation for the Olympics in mind.

The SRU says that a Scotland Sevens team will compete in the world series, World Cup and Commonwealth Games next season but have not given any guarantees beyond that. Kennedy said: “I saw a

headline about the British teams being merged but as far as I know there’s a Scottish sevens team next year.

“That’s great because the boys have been flying this year. Look at the last two tournaments – second in Paris, first in London, having won in London last year, too.

“The sevens programme in Scotland is definitely working. Looking at the players who have gone there this season, we have a really good squad. I don’t see it as a development team any more. I’ve gone there this season and anyone who has done the same has definitely benefited from being involved. Their culture and work ethic is second to none. I’d hate to think they’d get rid of it.”

The Welsh Rugby Union followed their Scottish counterparts yesterday by refusing to be drawn on speculation beyond next season. A WRU spokesperson said: “[We are] fully focused on the Wales Sevens programme and will not be drawn further on the speculation regarding a permanent Great Britain Sevens team. The entire Wales Sevens squad, including coaches and backroom staff, have done a terrific job this season in ensuring we proceed into 2018 with high hopes for both the Commonwealth Games and World Cup Sevens.”