Dalziel names Sevens squad but is unfazed about losing players to pro teams
New Scotland Sevens coach John Dalziel is relaxed about losing some of his key players to the pro teams, insisting that would be a sign of success for the programme.
The former Melrose and Scotland Under-20 coach announced his core squad for an upcoming season which includes the extra cherries of a Commonwealth Games in Australia and a Sevens World Cup in San Francisco.
Three full Scotland caps are named in the Ravenscraigbased abbreviated programme, including Dougie Fife, the six-times capped wing who appears to have been given a window of opportunity to get back into the Edinburgh set-up.
The 27-year-old was released to the Sevens at the end of the 2015-16 season but played in pre-season for his old club and was picked in new coach Richard Cockerill’s first starting XV of the Guinness Pro14 season. He picked up an ankle injury but Cockerill hinted that the player could have a chance to revive his 15-a-side career.
“There will be a review in two weeks as our priorities start to kick in but with such a long lead-in it’s really good we can lend players to Edinburgh,” said Dalziel. “I’ll certainly be going cap in hand throughout the season to Edinburgh and Glasgow looking for players so if we can do a bit just now then hopefully that builds a relationship.”
Dalziel would have no problem if Fife was to reclaim his Edinburgh jersey and be denied to the Sevens team, who start their world series campaign in Dubai in December. “That would be brilliant for Dougie and brilliant for the sevens programme and show that it’s good enough to produce a kid who is good enough to earn his pro team place,” said the coach.
“Dougie is a fantastic professional, I don’t know why he’s not there already, it’s great he gets another look at it and if Richard wants to sign him that will create another opportunity for someone to come into our programme and the conveyor belt keeps churning on.”
Hugh Blake and Jack Cuthbert are the other Test caps in the group, while Scott Riddell continues as skipper.
Scotland will be looking to build on a strong finish to last season when they reached the final in Paris and reclaimed their Twickenham title.