Scotland 7s flyer James Fleming, who scored 112 tries in the shortened game over nine years on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, has retired from the game.
The former Perthshire RFC and Dundee HSFP winger was a member of the first ever Scotland 7s core squad when they went full-time in 2011 and dedicated his career to the sevens game, but now is entering business as Operations Manager at Lovat Mill, Hawick.
Fleming started at Perthshire minis at the age of seven, working his way up through the colts team to the first XV where he was Premier Three Player of the Season in 2008-09.
He moved on to Dundee HSFP where he was a prolific scorer in Premiership rugby as the club went close to the national title, finishing fourth in 2009-10 and second in 2011-12. Fleming won club international honours while with Dundee and was brought into the pro system, although he was directed to sevens.
He was a member of both Scotland squads that won back-to-back Twickenham competitions, scoring the opening try of the comeback in the 2015 Cup Final.
He also played in Scotland’s victory over New Zealand the following year, the first time a Scotland squad had beaten the All Blacks at any level.
This season Fleming played at the Commonwealth Games in Australia with Scotland finishing sixth overall.
“I would like to thank everyone who gave this 7-year-old the opportunity to realise his dreams,” he said.
“Firstly to everyone at Perthshire Rugby Club, and to Ian Rankin at Dundee High for taking a chance on a slightly overweight 21-year-old.
“To the club game in Scotland for giving me a platform to progress even having missed out on representative honours as a youngster and to everyone I have encountered on the Scotland 7s circuit.”
“Rugby has taught me so much and I have made friends for life. Rosslyn and I welcomed our wee baby boy Alexander James into the family in May and I am excited to embark on the new chapter of my life with Lovat Mill.”
