FORMER Scotland Sevens captain Colin Gregor believes Mark Bennett will have been able to switch from the XV-a-side game to the abbreviated version quickly enough to impress Team GB men’s head coach Simon Amor.

Bennett, who has 16 caps for Vern Cotter’s Scotland but missed the summer tour to Japan to follow his Olympic dream, is one of seven Scots still in the mix for selection for Rio, along with Scott Riddell, Mark Robertson, Jamie Farndale, Gavin Lowe, Lee Jones and Joseva Nayacavou.

All are involved with the GB Royals and the GB Lions in the third and final leg of the Rugby Europe Sevens Grand Prix Series in Gdynia, Poland, trying to influence Amor before he names the 12-man squad (with two travelling reserves also expected) on Tuesday morning for the Olympics.

Gregor, who retired last year after winning 58 sevens caps, played with Bennett, 23, at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and said: “Mark is a quality rugby player and I have no doubt he will have been able to switch from playing XVs to sevens in recent weeks quite seamlessly.

“Around 30 guys have been involved in the wider squad from England, Wales and Scotland and there have been three tournaments in which GB have had two squads involved.

“Mark is a really strong runner and he is a master of seeing a gap and creating space, so I would like to think he has a good chance of going to Brazil.

“Indeed, I think all of the Scots have shown up well in recent weeks, but selection all depends on the mix Amor is looking for and because he knows the English players better from over the years, that may stand them in good stead.

“Of the other Scots, Scott Riddell and Mark Robertson are two really experienced guys and they have worked so hard over the years. It would be great to see them going.

“Both guys are really dependable team players and they would not let anyone down. Scott has come on leaps and bounds in the last couple of years and he is one of the best players in the world around the breakdown area.

“Mark is great coming off the bench in the latter stage of ties and his running style causes problems.

“Jamie Farndale has had a brilliant year for Scotland on the World Series circuit and he has really worked on his physicality. He and Lee Jones both have explosive pace and can burst through gaps while Gavin and Joseva are real team players who have grown in confidence.

“I am looking forward to watching Team GB in Brazil and I hope a few Scots will be there.”

The women’s squad is also named on Tuesday and Steph Johnston is the one Scot still in the mix.

“It is great to be representing Scotland in a GB environment and whether or not I make the final 12 or not I know I will have given it all I have,” she said.