Scotland Sevens: England coach warns of development blow

England finished third at the Glasgow leg of the World Series of Sevens

England Sevens head coach Simon Amor says Scotland will lose an invaluable player development tool should their set-up be compromised.

The Scots are deliberating whether to remain full-time at the top level.

"Any nation that loses opportunities to compete on the world stage will be at a loss," Amor told BBC Scotland.

"Sevens is enormous - we've had three of our guys in the last two years leave our programme and go onto Aviva Premiership clubs."

He added: "It's proven a great way of being successful in its own right and also for developing people for fifteens."

Amor's England were beaten by 5-0 New Zealand in the Cup semi-finals of the Glasgow leg of the World Series but triumphed over the USA to finish third.

With just the London tournament remaining, the squad look on course to qualify for the Rio Olympics next year via a top-four placing in the overall season standings.

"To come third is pleasing," said Amor. "We're a little bit disappointed with some of the performances we created a lot of opportunities in attack, and didn't quite take them.

"Catch and pass in this weather just wasn't quite good enough, but defensively for large parts of this weekend we were very good, and that gives us good confidence going into London Sevens next weekend.

"We haven't thought about Olympic qualification all year. We are honoured to be team representing GB to qualify and we're doing our best on behalf of all the home nations.

Scotland finished as runners-up to South Africa in the Plate final at Scotstoun

"But deep down we're focusing on ourselves, how can we improve, how can we be better. There was some good stuff this weekend but it's going to have to be a lot better this weekend."

This seems likely to prove the final World Series tournament in Glasgow for some time, with Scotland set to lose its host status to Paris after eight years on the circuit.

A former England Sevens international of great repute, claiming the IRB Sevens Player of the Year award in 2004, Amor praised the spectacle it presented.

"The way the tournament has grown over the years, and the last weekend has been a great atmosphere," said the 36-year-old.

"The way the Scottish Rugby Union have hosted it and put on a tournament has been outstanding."