• • Facebook
  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • Technorati
  • Reddit
  • Stumble Upon
  • Furl

The international Sevens coaches from England, Scotland and Wales have joined up to field an all-star invitational side at the Middlesex Sevens on August 15.

The squad will compete under the banner ‘Help for Heroes VII’ in support of the charity which helps those who have been wounded in Britain’s current conflicts.

Scotland Sevens head coach, Scott Gemmell, will prepare the team alongside England’s head coach Ben Ryan.

The initiative demonstrates the joined-up approach of the three unions as they prepare for the forthcoming IRB Sevens Series and the Commonwealth Games in Delhi next year.

Speaking about an exciting opportunity for himself, Gemmell said: “Ben Ryan, Paul John and I enjoy a close working relationship on the IRB Sevens World Series in terms of discussing ways to improve our all-round performances.

“This is a way of all of us working together to the benefit of all three unions as we approach the start of the World Series in December and contributes to our longer term visions ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi next year and ultimately Glasgow in 2014.

“There is a great atmosphere at the Middlesex Sevens and I am looking forward to working alongside Ben, as well as players from all three countries, as we build for the future.”

The way in which the coaches of Scotland, England and Wales have worked together to the mutual benefit of rugby in their own countries is testament to the strong bond that is encouraged through the game of Rugby Sevens.

This quality is one which Gemmell feels would be a huge asset to the Olympic movement as the IOC sits down in October to decide which sports should be included in the Olympic Games following a presentation from the IRB in June.

“Rugby Sevens is enjoyed by men and women the world over and is an ideal sport for Olympic inclusion.

“As was demonstrated at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai in March, both the men’s and the women’s games have worldwide appeal as a fun and exciting sport to play and watch.

"Rugby Sevens has a very successful record in similar smaller multi-sports games such as the Commonwealth Games and it would be fantastic to see the best players in the world compete for an Olympic medal."

The Help for Heroes VII will begin their campaign against Guinness Premiership outfit Sale Sharks and are one of four invitational sides, the others being Samurai International, the British Army and White Hart Marauders. A Help for Heroes VII have already won the Rosslyn Park Floodlit Sevens this summer.

UR7s are running an exclusive deal with Middlesex Sevens saving you £5 OFF all tickets for its members. 

Help get rugby into the Olympics - see how you can PLAY YOUR PART!