truebluefan

Edinburgh scrum-half Greig Laidlaw and Haddington flank Neil Rodger have been named for the first time in the Scotland Sevens squad for the next two legs on the IRB World Sevens Series.

Laidlaw, nephew of the former Scotland and British & Irish Lions scrum-half, Roy, and Rodger, a graduate from last year's Scotland Under-18 team, are named in the 12-man squad to compete in the tournaments in Wellington, New Zealand, and San Diego, United States, next month.

Six of the squad - Scott Forrest, Richie Vernon, Scott Newlands, Chris Fusaro, James Thompson and Andrew Dymock - were on duty as Scotland maintained their proud record of qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Cup competition in the opening legs of the IRB World Series in Dubai and George last month. Under the direction of coach Stephen Gemmell, Scotland have qualified for seven successive Cup quarter-finals.

Gemmell has enlisted experience in the shape of Glasgow Warriors backs Mike Adamson and Colin Shaw, while Ali Warnock and Jamie Hunter also return to the international sevens scene.

Of those who featured in Dubai and George, Grant Anderson is injured, Ruaridh Jackson, Stephen McColl and Chris Kinloch all look set to feature with the national Under-20 team and Colin Gregor and Calum Forrester are likely to be required by Glasgow Warriors.

Scotland, who have defeated South Africa and Australia during the last three IRB tournaments and who posted their highest finish last season in San Diego (sixth), are looking to build on the momentum they've established.

"We are a top eight team and want to push on from that," said Gemmell. "The group of players we've selected are certainly capable of doing that."

In Wellington, Scotland have been drawn in a pool with Argentina, USA and Tonga in Wellington( February 1 and 2), and face New Zealand, Wales and France in San Diego ((February 9 and 10).

Scotland Sevens squad for Wellington and San Diego: Scott Forrest (Ayr, captain), Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Newlands (Edinburgh), Chris Fusaro (Heriot's), Neil Rodger (Haddington), Colin Shaw (Glasgow Warriors), Jamie Hunter (Glasgow Hawks), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh), Mike Adamson (Glasgow Warriors), James Thompson (Heriot's), Ali Warnock (Edinburgh), Andrew Dymock (Dundee HSFP).