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Robin Heymann spoke to Scotland Sevens coach Stephen Gemmell ahead of the start of the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series on Friday at the Dubai Sevens. We learn why he was in Delhi, the reason behind fully-contracted players, and why not all the Scots hate the English...

How have Scotland’s preparations gone for this year’s IRB Sevens World Series Campaign?

Well, we went to Delhi for preparation for next year’s Commonwealth Games and then played a small tournament in France where we came up against the French, Wales, Morocco, and a group of Argentines based out there. It was a mix of standards but it was competitive heading into the World Series.

You took a squad of players out to Delhi, how beneficial was it?

It was hugely beneficial. We deliberately went out a year out from the Commonwealth Games as it’s the only chance we will get to replicate the heat and humidity we will face in Delhi. We wanted to be confident that if we go out early next year the facilities will be ready for our high performance. We found the training set-up for Sevens spot on with real attention to detail.

You finished last season really strongly, were you happy overall with the performances?

We had some real consistency and made a lot of quarter-finals, that was a big step forward for us. I think we might have got caught up in trying to take that to another level and we often ended up not dealing with day 1 as effectively as we needed to. We blooded a lot of players but ended up using 31 players, compared to South Africa’s 17 – that can make it difficult.

What were the lessons you learnt last year that you will take into this year?

It’s about keeping the error count really low. At this level if you make mistakes you’ll get punished heavily. It’s about imposing our own game in attack and defense and not worry what the opponents are doing. It’s what we did for large chunks of the World Cup and in London and Edinburgh. If we do that consistently well, I’m confident we can beat any team.

Is there still a real commitment to develop players to turn out for the Scotland 15-a-side team?

For Scotland Sevens a big part of it is still moving players onto the next level and it was great to see Richie Vernon get on to be a full international recently as he has been heavily involved with us. It’s a double edged sword. It’s about being competitive in the World Series but it’s also about developing players and it is my job to get that balance across. I feel we have got the players for these first two legs to put down a marker.

The side you have in Dubai and George looks really strong with a good mix of experience and youth?

Yeah we expanded our pool of players based on India and France and we have five of the squad back who played in London and Edinburgh. We have the three contacted guys and then Andrew Turnbull who was top try-scorer in the World Cup. It’s an exciting core with some younger players like Stuart Mclnally and Lee Jones also fronting up and deserving their chance and we have expanded our net south to bring in guys like Mike Baxter and David Tait.

And a nice easy start for you against Fiji and Samoa?

Well as you know you don’t get an easy game. It’s a great honour for us to be opening the World Series against Fiji. We beat them in London and also beat Samoa at Murrayfield so they will both be smarting. Beating them so recently can instill some real confidence in the group. And of course there is Zimbabwe who beat us in Dubai and twice in George so it’s going to be tough but as a coach you have to have confidence and I certainly have that.

Can you discuss the process of getting the SRU to award you three-fully contracted players (Mike Adamson, Colin Shaw, Scott Forrest).

Around the World Cup last year I was telling the board that we need some more consistency in the players we use throughout a Series. There was some discussion and we’ve decided to go with the three full-timers who will give us a real core. With the Commonwealth Games being in Scotland in 2014 if we can prove that these players can make a difference I’m sure we can open up further discussions.

How can you keep up with the likes of South Africa and England who seem to be pushing the boundaries in preparation and the use of science to improve Sevens performance?

Yeah it is difficult but we need to keep on trying to close the gap. I’m working hard with the group of players and the Scotland Institute of Sport and we’ve been using GPS in Delhi and in France. We got a lot of data from that and we are starting to influence how we will train. It is difficult for the players as they play 15s so these will really help for the coming year.

What are your thoughts on the ‘King of Sevens’ Series in Scotland as a breeding ground for players, and would you like to see the SRU work closer with the clubs hosting these events?

The Union has worked with Melrose and rest of the tournaments to continue to make them a success. We’ve selected the likes of Lee Jones who doesn’t play for any pro teams but performed well on that circuit. It’s a message to players performing there, that there is an opportunity for them.

Did you enjoy working with Ben Ryan and Paul John at the Middlesex Sevens and will we see it happen again with the GB team set to turn out at the 2016 Olympics?

Oh I hated working with those two! Ha no in all seriousness the beauty of Sevens is that when you’re away you get to speak easily to other coaches and have hit-outs with the likes of Paul John and Wales. We work very closely together. The results were a bit disappointing at Middlesex but importantly we showed we can work together and combine players. Ahead of 2016 there will have to some political decisions on how it will work but on the ground at a coaching level there is a real willingness to make it all work.

So there is a good bond between the home nation’s sides?

Yes, but when we play each other we are deeply competitive but outside of that if we can’t win it we hope the likes of England and Wales do well. It’s pretty unique and not really seen in other international sport.

Right Stephen I’m going to put you on the spot. Would you prefer to win a leg on the World Series or a Commonwealth Games medal?

I’d like to be greedy and do both! But in terms of the profile of Sevens in Scotland and inspire a nation it would be a medal. The Games are one of the only multi-event sports that Scotland compete in so we can create a real good feel factor there.

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