TWENTY-TWO months after last pulling on a Scotland strip, Harvey Elms is at last getting ready to represent his country once again.

The coronavirus pandemic halted Scotland’s participation in the World Rugby Sevens Series, with Great Britain filling the void.

Scotland return to action tomorrow (Friday) in Malaga, with former North Berwick player Elms part of the 13-player squad.

He spoke to Courier Sport from the team hotel in the Spanish city and was excited about getting back on the pitch.

He said: “We have had a lot of time off and it is good to be out on tour.

“It is a different location – this used to be the Sydney and Hamilton legs – and it is exciting going somewhere new, with a pretty new, fresh squad as well.

“Everyone is really looking forward to getting out there.

“We have got a few new caps as well as and they will be raring to go and then a few of us were in the programme but have not played for a while.

“To be able to be running back out in a Scotland jersey is really exciting.

“Just being back out, being in the squad, travelling and just the memories you make out on the tours is amazing.

“It is good to be back together and, after almost two years of not being away, to be out again and staying in a hotel by the sea, getting out on new training pitches, playing games – it is just exciting.”

The absence of sevens rugby left Elms sidelined for large spells.

Initially, he was training with Glasgow Warriors before linking up with Watsonians in the FOSROC Super6, putting in some eye-catching performances as both a winger and a full-back.

READ MORE: Harvey Elms back enjoying his rugby with Watsonians

Now, he is getting ready to line up as part of the sevens squad once again.

Only three members of the Scottish squad have more sevens experience than Elms, of North Berwick.

Captain Jamie Farndale leads the way with 43 caps, followed by Gavin Lowe (40) and Lee Jones (25), with Elms on 21.

Elms grew up in North Berwick and attended the town’s secondary school. His parents still live in the town while he also has family in Gullane.

Ciaran Beattie’s squad has a fresh look about it, with eight members having four caps or fewer.

Twenty-six-year-old Elms, who made his debut at the 2017 Dubai leg, said: “It is a bit strange going from a few years ago being the new guy with not many caps to now being one of the more experienced.

“We have a lot of new fresh faces coming in.”

READ MORE: Rugby internationalist Harvey Elms becomes artist in lockdown

Scotland face the toughest possible opening contest when they take on South Africa tomorrow (Friday). The Blitzboks have won both of the opening two competitions in Dubai, winning 12 out of 12 games along the way.

A contest with England follows later in the day, but scheduled third opponents Fiji have been unable to make the trip.

Action continues through to the Sunday, with players not having much time to recover before next weekend’s leg in Seville.

The Scotland coach was looking forward to getting back into action.

He said: “Having named our core squad in December, we are thrilled to be sending a group of players to Malaga and Seville to start such an important year for Scotland 7s.

“We have worked extremely hard over the past few weeks in preparation for these first legs of 2022, in the knowledge that the series will be as competitive as ever.”