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Robin Heymann

In amongst the hubbub of the last week’s IOC decision and the coverage UR7s gave to the Middlesex Sevens and the US Nationals it might have appeared the start of Scotland's King of Sevens season had slipped our mind.

Never fear! We were just waiting for the Olympic clamour and the weekend’s action to die down before giving some much deserved spotlight into the historic circuit. Now dubbed the ‘King of Sevens’ it incorporates 10 of some of the oldest tournaments in the history exclusively on the sports most original series.

Last weekend saw the start of this year’s series held as ever at Kelso, with the next episode in the series coming up this Sunday (23rd) at Selkirk.

Selkirk is a tournament with a long and proud history, first appearing in 1919. The club itself has a similarly prestigous heritage, having produced no less than 12 Scottish Internationals. It is also the current holder of the King of the Sevens title, having won the series in both 2007 and 2008 before Watsonians stole their crown deservedly last season.

The home club, buoyed by an enthusiastic and always knowledgeable crowd, romped to a win a year ago beating the Kooga Wailers 51-29 in a one-sided final. The Wailers are back this year and keen to put an indelible mark on the series before Melrose 2009 back in April.

The structure in the Borders is slightly different to other circuits, with two tournaments taking place in August with a seven month hiatus until the closing stages of the 15s seasons. It’s unorthodox but that’s the way it’s always been in the Borders, with the established powers that be not always up for departing from tradition.

Last weekend saw some historic names return to Kelso’s Poynder Park to help launch the new season with former legends John Jeffery, Alan Tait, and Andrew Ker all returning.

Notoriously Kelso has struggled to attract the strongest sevens sides in recent years with the build-up to the 15s season becoming ever-more intense, and some clubs have turned down invitations this year. But Kelso turned to its own to help rekindle the glory days and launch the new season with a degree of panache. John Jeffery, known as JJ up there, is certainly no stranger to the series and especially the leg at his local.

“It was excellent, a great day. We had rain on the Friday and Saturday but that didn’t keep anyone away. It is in the Borders so we are used to it! It is a great tournament,” said the former British and Irish Lion.

“It is great for these teams to have this league and circuit format. Teams can come and pick up points in any of the events and look to add to their tally with a view to the prizes awarded at the end. It is an excellent idea and I love being a part of it. I love going and watching and enjoying the social side,”added Jeffery.

One can note some inherent similarities between these early rounds of King of Sevens and the Middlesex Sevens and US Nationals that I mentioned earlier. Similarly to how London Irish last weekend put out an exceptionally strong side to help generate some early season confidence, Melrose (coached by former Scottish Fly-Half Craig Chalmers) also followed suit.

With several clubs preferring 15-a-side friendlies to the traditional season curtain-raiser at Poynder Park, Chalmers' men took advantage to secure the Kelso title for the first time in 11 years with an impressive 151 points in four ties.

Melrose are using Kelso and Selkirk as providing valuable game time built on the premise that winning is a habit, with the momentum taken onto their 15s campaign. It was a notion alluded to by London Irish skipper Paul Hodgson when I spoke to him on Saturday. With clubs holding their players back, why not take advantage?

And what about the parallels with the Borders Circuit and the USA Club scene? In last week’s feature we saw how USA Coach Al Caravelli used the various tournaments as a major scouting ground for selection to his USA team, it’s a similar story in the Borders.

"Scotland's sevens coach Stevie Gemmell is scouring the country right now for the talent for an international side this season, and so this is where boys can put their hands up,” added Jeffery.

Tournament Organisers and aficionados, like Jeffery , are also now starting to wake up to the opportunities that Olympic status provides.

“The fact that they have said that in 2016 the sport could be in the 2016 Olympics is excellent.

“They can play in these types of tournament and if they have got the skills required they can go onto the IRB Series. These tournaments allow these Scottish boys to improve their skills and have them showcased.

“What a carrot it is for these Scottish boys to get involved. To be in the hunt for an Olympic medal and to be involved with an event like that – what a chance. For a rugby player to say they have an Olympic medal would be great, not many people can say that!”

With an established Series already in place that has helped produce guys like Roddy Grant, Colin Gregor, and Andrew Turnball, perhaps the Scots are in a better position than most being able to see how players cope in the competitive environment of a series.

I doubt old Ned Haig and Co thought what an impact putting on a few tournaments would have 126 years later but the next few years could finally see the King of Sevens given the attention it might just deserve.

The full Halbro Selkirk Sevens draw is as follows (first tie at 1.30pm) -

Jed-Forest v Melrose, Peebles v Newcastle Falcons, Perthshire v Langholm, Haddington v Watsonians, Berwick v Edinburgh Accies, Gala v Selkirk, Kelso v Kirkcaldy, Scottish Academy v Hawick.