THE defending champions London Scottish Lions are returning to the Greenyards on Saturday hoping to retain the Centenary Cup their combined side won in 2019.

Lions Chairman, Ian MacFarlane-Bowman is looking forward to taking part and hopes that it will round off an unbeaten season.

He said: “We are extremely excited for the upcoming Melrose Sevens and for the London Scottish Club to be given the opportunity to defend the title. Hopefully it will round off another unbeaten season for the Lions – as we work our way up the English league. We are honoured to be part of the event and to be given the chance to fly the flag for our Club.”

Also taking part by invitation is the British Army who are hoping to bring some ‘Army flare’ and give the crowds a ‘spectacle of sevens’ in the anticipation of reaching the final when they return to Melrose in April.

Border Telegraph: British Army British Army

British Army Director of Rugby Sevens, Major Jon Lord added: ‘Having competed in the home of sevens for the first time in 2019, we know all too well the prestige this competition holds for the rugby community with Melrose sevens continuing to draw fantastic teams from across the globe; this year is no exception. Army athletes continue to be ‘soldiers first and athletes second’ and it remains a privilege for our soldiers to be selected to represent the red shirt of British Army Rugby; to do so at Melrose will be a special experience indeed.

He continued: ‘Rugby develops and enhances the core attributes needed for effective soldiering; teamwork, resilience, respect, discipline, courage to name a few, and underpinned by our own values and standards provides a recipe for success on the rugby field as well as the battlefield. Having returned to rugby action last year, battling together with our civilian counterparts to get back on the rugby field in the wake of COVID, the British Army enjoyed a successful season and some close matches against excellent opposition. It’s an honour to be invited back to Melrose and compete against a truly exceptional line up. We are confident, with the help of our opponents that we can light up the rugby field with some explosive and enjoyable rugby.’