Gav and Mark in Team GB extended squad

The wider training squad for Team GB rugby 7s has been announced ahead of the Rio Olympics and two former Ayr players, Gavin Lowe and Mark Bennett, have been included.

There are 25 players in total and they will start a seven-week intensive training period at the end of the month in preparation for the greatest sporting competition in the world.

Gav has been on Scotland 7s duty all season, whilst Mark is an experienced proponent of the abbreviated game, having previously taken part in the Commonwealth Games, as well as the world series for Scotland.

Both started out their rugby with Cumnock RFC before pushing on at Ayr RFC, so for a small county like Ayrshire - not known for its rugby pedigree (until now) - to produce two possible Olympians is tremendous.

We're very proud of Gavin and Mark and wish them all the best. Read more from Scottish Rugby.