| EDINBURGH 7s ANNOUNCE THE PERFECT PARTNERSHIP |
| Wednesday, 24 March 2010 | ||||||||
As Scotland prepare for the Hong Kong Sevens this weekend (the sixth in the eight-leg IRB World Sevens Series), the Series finale, the Emirates Airline Edinburgh 7s, has announced the perfect partnership with Scottish rugby's most famous half-back pairing. Borders sevens exponents Roy Laidlaw and John Rutherford joined forces in 35 tests for Scotland - which at the time was a world record for any international half-back pairing - and have now teamed up with the international sevens weekend as the build up for the two-day tournament began in earnest. Laidlaw, who was the Scotland sevens team manager during the 2002 Commonwealth Games, said: "Growing up in the Borders sevens was always an important part of your rugby but when I was involved with the national sevens team I really had my eyes opened to what was happening around the world. "There's a real party atmosphere so groups of friends and families can come along and have good time while on the pitch there's a real, international-standard competition. "That's what always struck me - the enjoyment for the spectators, the shortness of the games and the excitement of an amazing standard of rugby." Against a backdrop of carnival carousing, the eight-leg Series comes to a climax at the birth-place of rugby sevens, Scotland, on 29 and 30 May where 16 countries from around the world compete over two-days at Murrayfield Stadium. Fancy dress is often the order of the day as thousands of merry-makers from worldwide enjoy the international event, complemented by a massive club rugby tournament on both days, meaning the whole stadium grounds, inside and out, are taken over by sevens hysteria in the summer sunshine. Rutherford added: "It's party time and that's the way it should be - it should be a celebration and is fantastic for Scotland to get the last leg in the Series. "I'm a big fan of sevens and the IRB Series, it's a terrific spectator sport. I think that anyone who comes along will be blown away by the athletisism and physicalty of these sevens players. "One of the great strengths of the tournament is that there about five teams capable of winning and another five who are really competitive and capable of knocking one of the big names out and I think that always makes for a great tournament." Scotland bid to improve on last season's outstanding home showing - beating Canada and England on day one to qualify for the day two cup run. The Scots, bolstered by the likes of Sean Lamont and Ally Hogg, then knocked out Series runners-up Samoa on their way to a second successive cup semi-final where they were eventually ousted by 2008/09 World Series champions, South Africa, in the second minute of sudden-death extra time. Councillor Steve Cardownie, Festivals and Events Champion for the City of Edinburgh, said: "The Emirates Airline Edinburgh 7s will be a thrilling culmination to another sensational 'Rugby Month' at Murrayfield this May. "Fresh from witnessing Scotland's triumph in their final RBS 6 Nations match, I'm sure there are thousands of Scottish rugby fans eager for another 'fix' of their favourite sport, and this weekend of world class rugby sevens will give them just that, with an exhilarating atmosphere to boot. "Rugby Month was a huge hit last year, cementing Edinburgh's presence on the international sporting calendar and generating a very welcome boost to both the local and national economy. I'm sure this year's events will prove equally popular." Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer at EventScotland, the national events agency, said: "Last year the Emirates Airline Edinburgh Sevens Festival attracted thousands of rugby fans to the city and generated more than £3 million for the Scottish economy. This year, we are expecting the event to be just as successful as rugby fans from across the UK flock to the city to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy this festival of rugby. "Edinburgh has an unrivalled reputation as a destination for sport and the Edinburgh Sevens Festival is part of an impressive line up of rugby events taking place throughout the coming months. We look forward to welcoming the fans." * The Emirates Airline Edinburgh 7s is the eighth and final leg of the IRB Sevens World Series. It will be held at Murrayfield on 29 and 30 May 2010. Ticket prices The Emirates Airline Edinburgh 7s is one of two major events at Murrayfield in the month of May Scottish Rugby has worked extensively with event partners EventScotland and the City of Edinburgh Council, to fully promote the world-class events coming to Murrayfield and ensure that everybody attending knows what Edinburgh as a city has to offer both the resident and the visitor. EventScotland - www.eventscotland.org City of Edinburgh Council - www.edinburgh.gov.uk |
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