Trio of top flight regulars complete Waterboys squad

Russell Nimmo, Dougie Steele and Kerr Gossman have been named in the PROJECX Waterboys squad for the upcoming Hong Kong 10s.

The Waterboys team was initially started in 2012 with the aim of  providing younger players, with a link to Scotland, the opportunity to visit the world’s largest tournaments.

The team this year is filled with talent from the BT Premiership  and beyond and the Waterboys are seeded eighth for the Hong Kong event which take place on April 5 and 6.

Heriot’s forward Russell, 26, said:  “It’s great to be involved with the Waterboys.

“I have played in a couple of 10s tournament and have played in HK before. This team looks promising and have a good balance of pace and strength. It will be hot and fast out there so hopefully this group can blend quickly and play some exciting rugby

“I started my career at Duns as a youngster then onto the intramural teams at Newcastle University while playing at Duns on some weekends.

“I then moved to Edinburgh and went down to Heriot’s the same year as Phil Smith and Steve Lawrie joined as coaches and I have been playing there ever since.”

Dougie, a 26-year-old full-back from Boroughmuir toured to Budapest and Stockholm last year with the Waterboys, winning both events.

“I was really hoping that I would be selected for HK after missing Dubai last year as I had exams. The boys who went to HK in 2016 said the standard is very high so I am looking forward to testing myself,” he said.

“This club season has been hot and cold, I think Boroughmuir played some of the most exciting rugby in the Premiership, unfortunately a few narrow results didn’t go our way or we could have seen ourselves finish higher up the ladder.

“I started my career at Marr and played up through the mini and school system, eventually playing for the club first XV from age 15. I then moved to Ayr for three seasons from 2008-11 before moving to Abu Dhabi for work where I played three seasons with the Abu Dhabi Saracens.

“On returning to Scotland I moved to Edinburgh and to Boroughmuir and have just finished my second season with them.

“Looking at the guys in the Waterboys team I think you can expect to see a fast and exciting game with lots of skill on show.”

And this will be Glasgow Hawks’ winger Kerr’s third outing for the Waterboys.

The 25-year-old explained:  “I’m really grateful for being picked again to represent the Waterboys and I’m looking forward to keep up the winning ways from previous tournaments.

“Ive played with many of the boys that are travelling and I’m looking forward to playing against some big names which this tournament always attracts.

“My season at Hawks has been good but in the last couple of weeks results just haven’t gone our way. We have a semi-final this weekend against Ayr and I’m hoping we come out with a victory.

“I started my rugby career at Hawks where i played all the way up to senior level before moving to Ayr for three seasons.

“After a few bad injuries I moved back last season to Hawks. I have played for Scotland at under-19 and 20 level as well as Scotland Sevens and the Club XV.

“I think this Waterboys squad will play a fast, exciting game.”

The PROJECX Waterboys are in Pool A at the Hong Kong 10s with last year’s winners Penguins International, the Irish Vikings and the Devils Advocate Dragons.

Once again PROJECX, International Power and Water Investments, JA Resorts & Hotels, Ace Property Management, Sarcogent Solutions and Ethigen are supporting the team. They also have a range of new sponsors including Kyloe Restaurant (Signature Pubs), Orion Systems, St. Julians Advisory, 4 Navitas and Bureau.

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