Scottish Rugby is among one of seven unions that have put themselves forward to the governing body, the International Rugby Board, to host the Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2013.
 
Scottish Rugby’s chief executive Gordon McKie is hopeful that the Sevens World Cup, which was first played in Scotland in 1993, will return home for its last ever tournament before becoming part of the 2016 Olympics.

“Rugby Sevens are very much regarded as the flagship for the global development of our sport – and that gives great pride to us in Scotland given that we gave the game to the world,” McKie said.
 
“We are also very proud that Sevens will be one of major sports at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.”

Despite expressing interest in the tournament, McKie is clear that a formal bid will not go ahead unless the game will open doors for improving youth facilities and sporting participation levels of the game.
 
“What will be crucial in our deliberations on whether we submit a formal bid for the 2013 RWC Sevens will be that such a bid must sit alongside our strategic objectives.
 
“We cannot advance a bid if it were to compromise the overall financial stability of the game in Scotland and hosting such a tournament would be about much more than the event itself.

“It would be vitally important that the legacy from a 2013 RWC Sevens included greater access to quality facilities for the youth of our country and a consequent increase in participation in rugby.”

The unions who have expressed an interest - Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Hong Kong, Russia and USA - have until mid-December to decide whether to submit a tender. The council will select a host union in May 2010.