THE cream of international rugby descended on Scotstoun last week as the crowds welcomed the HSBC Sevens World Series with the same enthusiasm and desire as those battling it out on the pitch.

Players travelled from as far and wide as Japan and Samoa to participate in a weekend of rugby sevens, music and entertainment — but it was the hosts, Scotland, who took the plaudits with their best finish in five years as they claimed fourth place, narrowly missing out on third with defeat at the hands of Fiji.

Rugby sevens is far from a watered down version of the 15 man sport spectators are used to seeing in the more publicised Six Nations.

With seven men on each team and only 14 minutes to clinch a win, action is fast and free flowing, with pace, stamina and teamwork all key requirements for each side.

The sevens event was spread over two days with teams split into pools on day one before the winners and runners-up of each group went into the cup competition on day two.

Scotland went undefeated during day one, defeating Australia 19-7 in their first match, before dominating the USA in a 26-0 victory and Spain 33-12 in the final match of the day.

Day two saw Scotland face off against South Africa in the cup quarter finals.

A brave defensive display in the second period saw the host nation claim a 12-7 victory to set up their first cup semi-final since 2009, against a Canadian side who have proved they are a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.

It was to be one round too far for the valiant Scots, who fell to a 10-7 defeat before being defeated by Fiji in the third place play-off.

Elsewhere, New Zealand were dominant in the final where they ran in eight tries to seal a 54-7 win over the Canadians.

The sevens will be making a welcome return to Scotland later this year as part of the Commonwealth Games.

A total of 45 games will be contested across two days at Ibrox Stadium as 16 countries battle it out for the gold medal.