19-year-old, former Edinburgh Academy pupil, Alex Glashan, will wins his fifth cap on the HSBC Sevens World Series when he takes the field in Dubai this Friday (29 November).

With eight legs on the circuit to go before Glasgow 2014, every player knows that the pressure to perform is increasing with each match and for Glashan, medalling at the Commonwealth Games is an accolade he doesn’t want to miss out on.

This goal is particularly meaningful, for the scrum-half, as he can boast previous Commonwealth Games experience, but also has the disappointment of missing out on a medal, having come fourth, as a member of the Scotland 7s squad in the Youth Commonwealth Games on the Isle of Man in 2011.

Also in the youth team were fellow Scotland 7s teammates Chris Dean, who is also in the Dubai squad, and Neil Herron.

Glashan said: “Competing in the Isle of Man in 2011 was a fantastic experience, both for my development as a player and in understanding how a multi-sport event operates.

“We had a good squad of guys there and we got to the Bronze medal play-off, but unfortunately lost out to Australia, 15-12. Hopefully in Glasgow the senior team can go one better.”

In Dubai Scotland will face, the nation that knocked Scotland out of that medal game, first up (7.40am, UK time), and having drawn with them in the opening round of the HSBC Sevens World Series, last month, the youngster is keen to make amends.

Glashan continued: “We have nine tournaments this season in the build up to Glasgow and as a collective we have set ourselves a goal of reaching the Cup quarter-finals in each tournament.

“On the Gold Coast we missed that goal, but showed some promise and played some really good rugby, particularly as we bounced back to draw with Australia 21-all having conceded three tries early in the game.

“We want to build on those performances in Dubai and we’re excited about our group [Australia, Wales and Spain]. We hope we can gain some points and keep building up the momentum ahead of the Games next year.”

Prior to joining up with Scotland 7s for the 2012/13 season Glashan was a member of the Edinburgh Academy side who won the under-18 Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Cup finals in 2010 and 2012 at Murrayfield Stadium, respectively.

He also had a man-of-the-match performance in the under-15 Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Cup final in 2009.

As well as his success with his school side, he has also competed with Scotland under-18 and is a keen golfer in his spare time.

Since then his time with the abbreviated national team, where he has been an elite development player for two seasons, has been invaluable to his development.

He concluded: “I’m loving being in the Scotland 7s squad. Last season was my first year in a professional contract and I’m learning from the older players all the time.

“I’m getting much fitter and sevens focuses right into your individual skills so I feel I’m definitely improving as a player. This year is a little different though, we’re all pushing towards medalling at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and for me it is a big focus, as I aim to make the team.”

Glashan in his four World Series caps, so far, has scored five tries and seven conversions, accumulating some 39 points.

You can follow Alex Glashan on Twitter @glash9

Photo Credit: Scottish Rugby