AN OLYMPIC silver medallist will help fine tune the skills of the county’s rugby starlets.

Mark Robertson, who was part of the Team GB squad that won rugby sevens silver in Rio last summer, has been appointed to the strength and conditioning team within Scottish Rugby’s academy set-up for East Lothian and the Borders.

Melrose native Robertson retired at the end of last season and replaces former Haddington RFC player Mike Legget in the role.

Legget takes on the lead strength and conditioning role within the academy in Glasgow and the west, based at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld, where he will work alongside Scotland cap centurion Sean Lamont.

Robertson, 32, said: “Mike [Legget] has done a great job at the Borders academy and I want to make sure that best practice continues.

“I still have a lot to learn and the expertise already in the academy makes it the perfect place to kick-start my coaching career.

“The athleticism and skill level of the 17 and 18-year-old players coming out of the system has vastly improved over recent years and that has a lot to do with the academy.

“It’s made a huge difference to the performances and results and under-20s – who are now better equipped for the senior game – and Scotland 7s teams, so I’m delighted to be part of it and help develop the next generation of rugby players.”

The Borders and East Lothian academy is based at Netherdale, Galashiels, but will see Robertson work with the likes of Rory Darge and Roan Frostwick, both North Berwick, and Hawick’s Andrew Horne, a former Preston Lodge High School pupil.