Edinburgh Rugby
With their URC season now over, Edinburgh have named a strong blend of senior and academy talent for Saturday’s tournament. Their campaign begins against Stirling County RFC at midday, with a potential second-round clash against Selkirk RFC awaiting if they progress.
Senior squad hookers Harri Morris and Jerry Blyth-Lafferty should provide plenty of power in the abbreviated code, while departing scrum-half Charlie Shiel captains the side. Fellow senior backs Cammy Scott and Malelili Satala also feature. Satala made nine appearances on the wing for Edinburgh this season after arriving from Leicester Tigers last summer and looks ideally suited to Sevens rugby. They are joined by powerful academy wingers Ross McKnight and Fin Doyle, both of whom will likely be used as forwards on Saturday, given they each weigh over 100kg. The squad is rounded out by National Talent Pathway players Adam Williamson of Heriot’s Rugby Club, Hugo Alderson of Selkirk, and Angus Robson from George Watson’s College. Meanwhile, former Biggar, Currie and Boroughmuir winger Mason Cullen earns a call-up following strong form for Ampthill RFC in the English Championship.
Edinburgh Squad: Harri Morris, Jerry Blyth-Lafferty, Ross McKnight, Fin Doyle, Charlie Shiel (capt), Cammy Scott, Malelili Satala, Adam Williamson, Hugo Alderson, Angus Robson, Mason Cullen
Charlie Shiel captains the Edinburgh 7s select. Image: © Craig Watson – www.craigwatson.co.uk
Scottish Thistles
Scotland Sevens coach Ciaran Beattie has named a talent-packed Scottish Thistles squad for the weekend. The Thistles last lifted the Melrose title in 2008 with a side featuring future Scotland internationals Greig Laidlaw, Chris Fusaro and Richie Vernon. With the Scotland Sevens programme being reformed last year, they will return to Greenyards on Saturday with a squad full of exciting prospects.
Current Scotland Sevens winger and former Scotland U20 international Finn Callaghan captains the side. He is joined by academy players Lewis Wells, Sam Leweni and Isaac Coates from Edinburgh, alongside Brent Jackson of Glasgow Warriors. Former Edinburgh and Bristol Bears winger Freddie Owsley adds further senior experience after an impressive season with Chinnor RFC in the English Championship. National Talent Pathway prospects Gregor Johnston and Murray Waugh are also included. Johnston, currently studying at Hartpury University, featured for Scotland U20 during this year’s Six Nations, while Waugh has impressed for Glasgow Hawks.
The squad is completed by grassroots talents from across the Scottish game: Mitchell Newell of University of Strathclyde, Ritchie Mitchell of Gala RFC, Stevie Hamilton from Peebles RFC and Leo Munro of Watsonians RFC, who has already been training with Scotland Sevens whilst finishing school at Stewart’s Melville College this year. The Thistles open their campaign against Musselburgh RFC at 10:30am.
Scottish Thistles squad: Fin Callaghan (capt), Brent Jackson, Lewis Wells, Sam Leweni, Isaac Coates, Mitchell Newell, Gregor Johnston, Murray Waugh, Ritchie Mitchell, Stevie Hamilton, Leo Munro, Freddie Owsley
Durham University
Durham University are a late addition to the tournament after Welsh Premiership side Pontypridd RFC withdrew. Despite the short notice, Durham arrive with an impressive recent Sevens pedigree. They have won three of the last four BUCS Sevens titles and reached the final of Earlston Sevens in April, narrowly losing 12-7 to Melrose RFC. Their 2nd XV also enjoyed a strong spring, reaching the quarter-finals at Kelso and Selkirk Sevens, as well as the semi-finals at Percy Park Sevens. As recently as 2024, Durham reached the semi-finals at Melrose before losing to a strong Scottish Barbarians side.
It’s a younger Durham squad – even for a university side! – due to several senior players being ruled out with injury. It still includes former England U18 international Louie Platt, whose attacking kicking game should be fun with so much space. Rory Telfer, the former Ulster and Ireland U20 winger, and Fin Stables will provide plenty of power in contact. The squad also contains five players who regularly play scrum-half in XVs, bringing quick feet and sharp distribution. One to watch is Fergus Callington, who came off the bench for Ireland against France during the 2026 U20 Six Nations. Durham open their campaign against Currie Chieftains, with a potential second-round tie against Boroughmuir Bears awaiting if they progress.
Durham University squad: F Stables, H Dawson, J Wooler, M Orange, C Thompson, R Telfer, J Caeser, L Norton, M Williams, L Platt, W Windows, F Callington
Rory Telfer in action for the Durham University 7s. Image: Durham University
Newcastle Red Bulls
Newcastle are sending a youthful team north including senior academy players George Bolam and Charlie Turnbull. Ex-academy members including Cam Ellis and Joe Craggs are included as guest players
Under their previous identity as Newcastle Falcons, the club enjoyed a rich history in the Scottish Sevens circuit, including winning Hawick Sevens in 2005, 2006 and 2007. After a lengthy absence from the format, Newcastle returned to Sevens action at Hawick in April with a talented squad. Former Great Britain Sevens player Nathan Greenwood captained the side alongside 6’5” senior squad full-back Stefan Coetzee, while senior academy prospects George Bolam, Junior Newton and Charlie Turnbull also featured at Mansfield Park.
They defeated Selkirk in the opening round and Kelso in the quarter-finals before falling to University of Edinburgh in the semi-finals. Edinburgh University would then lose 31-7 to hosts Melrose RFC in the final as Melrose continued their excellent form on the Sevens circuit. Newcastle begin their campaign against Glasgow Hawks on Saturday, with a potential second-round meeting against Hawick RFC if they progress. Their trip to Greenyards will come just days after Melrose and Scotland U20 fly-half Jake Dalziel was announced as joining Newcastle for next season.
Newcastle Red Bulls squad: G Bolam, C Turnbull, T Spencer, W Brock, C Ellis, C Lawson, A Neagle, J Lesley, J Bailey, J Bent, J Craggs, N Godsmark, T Chandler, L Yapp
