One of Scottish Rugby’s most capped backs will return to the Scotland 7’s squad, where his international career started, at this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow (Ibrox Stadium, 26-27 July).

Glasgow Warriors’ winger Sean Lamont who has won 86 caps for his country and who was in the 2002 Scotland 7’s Commonwealth Games squad in Manchester has been named in Stephen Gemmell’s 12-man squad for Glasgow 2014.  Lamont won his last World Series cap at Murrayfield in 2009.

Gemmell has also completed a major coup by securing the services of Scotland and Glasgow Warriors winger, Tommy Seymour who has won eight Scotland caps, but has not yet been involved with Scotland 7s.  His selection follows some impressive performances for club and country that display a pedigree for the abbreviated game.

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Gemmell said: “Sean [Lamont] is a player with a significant amount of Scotland caps.  The pace, power and physicality he will bring to this squad allied with his sevens understanding, gathered from the World Series and a previous Commonwealth Games, will be invaluable.”

Scotland Commonwealth Games 7’s squad

“Tommy [Seymour] is a proven finisher at international and professional level.  His skill set is relevant across the board for sevens, as a strong defender and he is good with ball in the air.  This pair, along with a number of others come in from a successful environment with Glasgow Warriors who have reached the RaboDirect PRO12 final.  That is something we can benefit from.”

Also in the squad from Glasgow Warriors are Mark Bennett, who has two HSBC Sevens World Series caps, most recently from the Bowl winning side in Hong Kong in March, James Eddie, Richie Vernon, Lee Jones and former Glasgow Warrior, Scott Wight, all of whom were involved in the fourth place finish at the recent Emirates Airline Glasgow 7’s.

The team are also bolstered by the inclusion of Roddy Grant from Edinburgh Rugby.  Grant has 12 caps on the World Series, the last of which was won at Murrayfield in 2010.

Gemmell continued: “Thank you to Scotland, Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby for their support to this squad.

“Roddy [Grant] is a proven sevens player who has captained the side in the past.  He has had a good season with Edinburgh Rugby and he will help this group step-up to another level.”

Colin Gregor who played at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006 will be in the squad.  He is the most experienced short-game player in the squad with 50 World Series caps to his name.

Gregor is joined by his sevens colleagues, Scott Riddell who has been impressive throughout season 2013 / 2014 and returns having played in Delhi in 2010 and Colin Shaw and James Johnstone who have recently returned from injury.

Gemmell concluded: “I have selected a squad that can be successful in Glasgow.  At the Emirates Airline Glasgow 7’s we created a formula that worked.  I believe the balance of players I have named today is an improvement of that formula and is a group capable of producing a result.”

“This is the biggest Scotland 7’s selection I have ever made.  Being part of a wider Team Scotland at a home Commonwealth Games is a unique opportunity that all the players and management are looking forward to.”

“A lot of hard work lies ahead with this group over the coming weeks and months to ensure we can perform well at a home games.”

Scotland 7’s will play New Zealand (game 10) first up on Saturday 26 July, during the morning session at Ibrox.  That session begins at 10:30 BST.  They will then play Barbados (game 13) in the opening game of session two at 18:00 BST, followed by Canada (game 21) later in the evening.

Scottish Rugby’s President, Donald Macleod, said: “Well done to the players who have been selected to represent Scotland in the Sevens in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Having a home event is a unique and exciting opportunity for all involved in front of huge crowds. All of Scottish Rugby will be behind the players as they look to build on their fourth place finish at this year’s Emirates Airline Glasgow Sevens and aspire to win that coveted Commonwealth Games medal.”

Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games and Sport, Shona Robison, said: “Congratulations to all of the squad selected for Team Scotland. The success enjoyed by the squad at the recent Glasgow 7’s shows what can be achieved with the backing of a home crowd. The Sevens tournament promises to be a fantastic, exciting event featuring most of the top sides in the Sevens World Series. I am sure there will be an electric atmosphere at Ibrox with Head Coach Stephen Gemmell and the players doing the nation proud.”

The Team Scotland Rugby Sevens Team for Glasgow 2014

Richie Vernon, James Eddie (both Glasgow Warriors), James Johnstone (Scotland 7’s), Roddy Grant (Edinburgh Rugby), Scott Riddell, Colin Shaw (both Scotland 7’s), Lee Jones (Glasgow Warriors), Colin Gregor, Scott Wight (both Scotland 7’s), Mark Bennett, Sean Lamont and Tommy Seymour (all Glasgow Warriors).

Unavailable for selection: Jack Cuthbert (knee) (Edinburgh Rugby), Russell Weir (knee), John Houston (neck), Michael Fedo (knee) (all Scotland 7’s)

Mark Bennett – rising star of Scottish Rugby