FRESH from helping Scotland to its highest ever Rugby 7s world ranking flamboyant backs Mark Robertson and Scott Wight hope to nurture the next generation of short-game players.

The former Melrose utility backs both starred in the Scots’ best World Series and have both been rewarded with new one-year deals by Murrayfield.

Next month the international players will host their very own School of 7s camp in Selkirk.

And 30-year-old winger Robertson, who enjoyed four seasons at Edinburgh Gunners, believes it will give every budding player a taste of what the pro game offers. He told us: “There are 7s camps already up and running in Edinburgh and Glasgow and they are not only popular but they are also helping youngsters improve their game.

“Both Scott and I felt that we are at the stage where we can pass our knowledge and experience onto the next generation of players.

“There’s not a pro team in the Borders any more and young players don’t get exposed to the top players like they used to. When Scott and I were starting we were surrounded by international players at Melrose – they showed what we could achieve and we want to show the youngsters in the Borders what they can also achieve.” The School of 7s summer camp will be held over three days at Selkirk’s Philiphaugh ground.

As well as two days of handling skills, breakdown play, tackling drills and kick off practice the students will also be guided through video analysis and receive a taste of strength and conditioning work in the gym.

The third day of the July camp will be dedicated to a tournament structure.

Scott, who enjoyed two seasons at Glasgow Warriors before accepting a Scotland 7s contract, believes the shorter game is where skills can be developed. The 29-year-old said: “More and more countries are using 7s as a development pathway. It is where you concentrate heavily on skills.

“A lot of 15s rugby is technical – the 7s allows you to express yourself and we want to show young players how to do this.

“The age groups who will be at the camp need to be exposed to as much rugby as they can. They will get a lot out of the summer camp.” As well as Wight and Robertson passing on their expertise, a host of pro players from both Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh are being lined up to give a few masterclasses.

The School of 7s is open to all S1 to S4 school pupils with numbers limited to just 90.

The camp runs over three full days – Tuesday, July 14 to Thursday, July 16 – and costs £30 per day.

Mark, who has a Masters degree in Strength and Conditioning with Physiology, added: “We both enjoyed summer camps when we were younger and we are sure all of the players will enjoy our camp.

“We are not only coaches, we are also players and we know what players enjoy. We hope to make this a fun three days as well as educational.” For further details of the School of 7s go to http://www.schoolofsevens.weebly.com or to book a place call Mark on 07834951108 or email markyrobertson@hotmail.co.uk .