Strathallan School pupil joins Team Scotland Rugby 7s squad in the Commonwealth Youth Games

Strathallan School pupil Joe will tackle Commonwealth Rugby 7s for Scotland this summer.

Joe Townshend a pupil at Strathallan school in Perthshire will take part in Team Scotland's Rigby 7s squad in the Commonwealth Youth Games. Joe will represent Scotland in August as he prepares to play against the Commonwealth’s top teams in Trinidad and Tobago.

This year’s Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games will see the first appearance of a Scottish Men’s Rugby 7s team at a Youth Games since the Isle of Man Games in 2011.

Current Captain of School at Strathallan school, Joe was selected for the Scottish U18 team earlier this year. He said it was a dream come true to play for Scotland in the upcoming Rugby 7s.

“I’m really excited, it’s an amazing experience. It’s a high-level tournament but we have an exceptional team who are working well together.”

Joe, who first started playing rugby when he was 7 years-old, fell in love with the sport at Belhaven Hill School before moving to Strathallan in Third Form. Now, a Strathallan Rugby Academy player, Joe relished the challenge of transitioning from the traditional 15s game to the lightning-fast 7s format.

“It's a whole different ball game," he said. "The fitness demands are intense, but I'm enjoying the change of pace. It's fast and furious.”

Joe will also join fellow pupil Evan, who will be making a splash in the pool for Team Scotland at the Commonwealth Youth Games. Evan will also compete for Team GB in the European Olympic Youth Festival in July.