McConnochie: GB 7s talent is up for grabs

RUARIDH McConnochie believes there are some rich pick-ings to be had for clubs following the RFU’s decision to disband the full-time GB 7s programme.

- By JON NEWCOMBE

GBs players were recently hit with the bombshell that season-long contracts were no longer financially viable and they would be employed on a play-and-pay basis moving forward, jeopardising their future as pro rugby players.

Switching to 15s is one solution, although history shows that the transition isn’t always successful. However, McConnochie has proved it can be done, the 2016 Olympics silver medal-winning winger enjoying seven fruitful seasons at Bath, as well as earning two England caps in 2019.

And the 33-year-old, who this week announced he was retiring at the end of the season, has mentioned two of his former team-mates, Ethan Waddleton and Harry Glover, as potential prime recruits.

Both players, who are in their late 20s, have spent the last decade in international 7s. GB captain Waddleton makes up for his lack of size (5'8 and 14 stone) in work rate and energy, while ‘mercurial’ would be an apt description of Glover, who is a towering 6'4.