Scotland turned in a superb performance against France to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Dubai Sevens.
The Scots opened the tournament with a 41-5 defeat to New Zealand, the reigning World Series champions, but showed great character to hold their nerve and edge a tight game against France.
Les Bleus equalised with barely a minute remaining but Scotland had time for one last attack and secured the 17-12 victory with a try from Glasgow’s Ruaridh Jackson.
The 27-5 win over the Arabian Gulf was far more routine, with tries from Jackson, Chris Kinloch, James Thompson, Scott Newlands and Stephen McColl.
Coach Stephen Gemmell said: “The squad has come a very long way in a short space of time.
“We’ve five new players to the IRB circuit and four of the squad are aged 18, so to win two of our ties today, especially when you see the likes of Kenya beating Wales and Canada drawing with England, results which underline that any team is capable of results here, then we have to be pleased with that progress.”
