Scotland Sevens coach Stephen Gemmell has called up eight members of last year's record-breaking squad for the final two legs of the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series in London and Edinburgh.

Having reached back-to-back Cup semi finals for the first time in both events 12 months ago, Gemmell has included the likes of Ally Hogg, who has played 48 tests for Scotland, Chris Fusaro and Roddy Grant.

Scotland have continuously raised their game for the two UK legs of the Series in the past and also welcome back captain Scott Forrest from injury for the Twickenham leg on 22-23 May and Edinburgh the week after.

Forrest was ruled out of Adelaide and Hong Kong with an ankle injury and is one of three contracted Scotland Sevens players alongside Mike Adamson and Colin Shaw, with the latter having played in last week's Magners League semi final play-off for Glasgow Warriors.

"It's hugely exciting for me to get a squad like this together," admitted Gemmell. "We've gone for as strong a squad as we can get which is traditionally what we have done in London and Edinburgh.

"It's certainly pleasing for me, and hopefully the public, to see eight of the players involved last year back in for the final two legs of this year's World Series. What is really pleasing for me as a coach is that every player here is desperate to be involved. All those that are here are keen to play for Scotland."

This year's World Series has been one of the most competitive to date, especially following the decision to include the sport in the Olympic Games programme in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, but Scotland have failed to pick up a single point in the standings.

Fantastic party atmosphere

"Our challenge over the next two weeks is to get these guys up to speed with Sevens and put on a performance firstly they can be proud of and then something the public can get behind.

"The standard has moved on since last year. We have to look forward and develop our game at a speed so that not only we can be competitive in London, which is our first challenge, but move on from that.

"When we get back to Murrayfield - which is always massively important for anyone involved in Scotland Sevens - we want to be hitting the ground running so we are in a position to achieve something special."

Scotland will face Australia, Russia and their semi final conquerors in London last year, England, at Twickenham, before playing Fiji, USA and Wales at Murrayfield, one of the standout legs on the circuit according to Gemmell.

"I believe that this is the best rugby event you can get and those that have been to Murrayfield before will testify to that.

"There's a great atmosphere. What a difference it makes to a Scotland team when you've got a big crowd behind you cheering you on. Games are traditionally tight in Sevens so it makes a big difference having someone helping you over the line.

"I would encourage anyone to come along to Murrayfield and see 16 wonderful teams competing amongst a fantastic party atmosphere. The unique thing about Sevens is that any one of those 16 teams can beat each other."

Scotland Sevens squad: Scott Forrest (captain), Mike Adamson, Alex Blair, Chris Fusaro, Roddy Grant, Ally Hogg, John Houston, Lee Jones, Greig Laidlaw, Mark Robertson, Colin Shaw, Andrew Turnbull.