Representing Scotland is what drives our players. They are a tight knit group who have one thing on their minds, regardless of where we are in the world, and that’s to win for Scotland

- Calum MacRae, Head Coach

The Scotland 7s squad to compete at its home tournament, the Emirates Airline Rugby 7s, at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow this weekend (9-10 May), has been revealed today.

Gavin Lowe is back with Scotland 7s for the Emirates Airline Rugby 7sHead Coach Calum MacRae has made two changes to the side that won the Hong Kong 7s Bowl and that competed at the last HSBC Sevens World Series event in Tokyo, six weeks ago.

Glasgow Warriors flanker James Eddie comes in for club teammate Fraser Lyle to win his 11th sevens cap, while BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy Stage 3 player Gavin Lowe replaces Lee Jones. Lowe will be in contention for his fifth cap.

Eddie’s last outing with the abbreviated national team was last December in South Africa, while Lowe last ran out in Wellington, in February.

MacRae said: “Gavin [Lowe] has performed very well in training and has the running game to test any defender.

He is maturing as a player and deserves the opportunity to show how far his game has come this year. I’m looking forward to seeing the influence he can have on our team’s play.

“Sevens requires a hard edge and a massive work ethic, James [Eddie] has both of those qualities in abundance. He put in strong performances in the Port Elizabeth leg.”

Colin Gregor will become Scotland 7s’ joint most capped player, when he takes the field this weekend, matching Andrew Turnbull’s tally of 57 caps, while Scott Riddell is named captain once again.

Last Friday, the fourth Emirates Airline Rugby 7s at Scotstoun Stadium sold out with more than seven days to go, and with Scotland 7s in a position to have their best finish in the HSBC Sevens World Series standings, the first international sevens event in Glasgow since last summer’s Commonwealth Games, is shaping up to be an exciting weekend.

Scotland 7s will meet Portugal (1.04pm), Wales (4.10pm) and Fiji (7.21pm) on Saturday (9 May) in Pool C – live on Sky Sports.

MacRae continued: “It was great getting the news that the event has sold out.

“As a player its a special moment running out to a full house, especially when its your home support. I’m sure the crowd will help the players find another gear.

“The prospect of completing the competition in the highest position ever for a Scotland 7s team in the World Series is a strong motivator for all the players to finish the job we set out to do at the start of the season.

"Our ranking position hasn’t really been at the forefront of our minds for the majority of the Series. We have tried to remain focused solely on the team performances we put in, believing that and the results would follow, but to surpass anything the team has achieved before would be a fantastic reward for the graft the players have put in.

“We have great supporters, it’s a chance to pay them back by putting in performances and winning in front of them. This is something they can feel part of and, at certain times, influence the game with the noise they bring.”