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Former Scotland centre Graham Shiel was named as the new Scotland 7s head coach at today’s launch of the HSBC Sevens World Series finale that kicks off at Murrayfield in May 2011.

Shiel, who played 18 times for his country, was introduced to seven-a-side rugby as a school-boy in the renowned junior sevens tournament, the Crichton Cup, before playing at the birth-place of sevens, Melrose.

He replaces Stephen Gemmell who has taken up the role of Scottish Rugby’s head of player development.
After a playing career which he began as an amateur and ended as a professional with spells at Border Reivers and Edinburgh Rugby. Shiel’s first coaching role was in a player/coach capacity at Stewart’s Melville before he joined Edinburgh Rugby as Academy manager under the stewardship of Lynn Howells.

In 2006 Shiel moved into the National Academy where, alongside player development duties, he was the assistant coach for the Scotland under-19 team.

 “This role offers a fantastic, once-in-a-life-time opportunity to coach one of Scotland’s top representative sides on the world stage," said Shiel.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to have played at the top level throughout my career but I always wanted to continue that relationship with the game through coaching and now, to be named as head coach, is a fantastic honour and one that I aim to do justice.

“People associate Scotland with pride, hard work and determination and I think it’s important, as it is for all Scotland sides, that we take on the national values that people associate with the team.

“There’s a lot of pride in the jersey, a huge will to win and a hunger for players to succeed.”

Like his predessesor, Gemmell, Shiel’s Scotland 7s debut as head coach will be the opening tournament of the HSBC Sevens World Series in Dubai, where Scotland will face Commonwealth Games silver and bronze medalists, Australia and South Africa, as well as 2009 Dubai Shield winners, Russia, in Pool C.

Reigning World Series champions Samoa begin their defence at Dubai's purpose-built complex 'The Sevens' in Pool A with opening matches on day one against Kenya, last year's Dubai Bowl winners Wales and the hosts, Arabian Gulf.

Defending Dubai champions New Zealand will travel as favourites, having recently scooped a fourth successive Commonwealth Games gold medal. Gordon Tietjens again coaches the New Zealanders, who face Pool B matches against Argentina, USA and Zimbabwe.

Fiji top Pool D and face a tough trio of matches against European sides, firstly Portugal in the opening match of the tournament and then France and England.

Shiel added: “We’ve had recent first-hand experience of South Africa and pushed them very close. We’ll take a lot of confidence from that going in to Dubai and will look to back up that performance.

“Australia were probably the team of the 2009/2010 series based on the improvements they made and their performance which culminated in a successful run of games in London, Edinburgh and the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. They are very strong at the moment.

“Obviously Russia are no slouches, we played them in London and they are a pretty good outfit, they haven’t had the benefit of the Commonwealth Games but I’m sure they’ll come very well prepared.”

The Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens begins the eight-event World Series, which also visits South Africa, New Zealand, USA, Hong Kong, Australia, England and Scotland, climaxing at Murrayfield on 28-29 May 2011.

Around 24,000 supporters arrived for the two-day international event at Murrayfield in May seeing Samoa win an incredible 24-minute semi-final over England on their way to a convincing cup final victory over London winners Australia.

Shiel added: “The fact the finale of the World Series is in Edinburgh is a fitting tribute to Scotland as the home of sevens.

“It’s a great spectacle on the pitch and a great event off it as people party in the stands all day long – it’s got all the ingredients for a great spectator sport.

"The Edinburgh leg of the series is dear to the players’ hearts. As a player you’re desperate to put on a good show for your supporters, which we have done consistently in previous seasons.

“Supporters make such a big difference to the players. When the crowd were cheering on the team it was instantly noticeable as you could see that extra spring in their step as the opposition battle against them and the eighth man.”

Scottish Rugby are delighted to add a new and exclusive early-bird, cut-price ticket offer which means supporters can snap up tickets now for just ten pounds when they buy a ticket for any of Scotland’s Autumn test match against the All Blacks, South Africa and Samoa next month.