It was sun’s-out-guns-out as the Hearts + Ball MB teams kicked off their sevens’ season with a stellar series of Saturday successes! Both the men’s and women’s teams took the top trophies at Kirkcaldy 7s, while the men made it to the final of Edinburgh Northern 7s at Inverleith.
Central to the teams – and the man making sure everyone was everywhere all at once on Saturday – is Team Manager Dylan Russell. We caught up with him the next day to get the lowdown on the season ahead.
Before we speak about 2026, can you give us a quick roundup of last year and any particularly memorable tournament moments?
“2025 was a very good year, with success in both the men’s and women’s competitions. For me, I’m always proud that we field so many players, across so many tournaments, representing so many different clubs and, most importantly, raising awareness for the charity.
“When it comes to memorable moments, two spring to mind: the men winning the Open tournament at Edinburgh City 7s, after the elite and open competition were merged together; and seeing us step up to international competition again, at the Amsterdam 7s, with the men’s team coming away with silverware there, too.
“It’s always great, also, to see the women’s team take the field at Melrose, the home of rugby 7s, as they did last year, taking on some fierce competition.”
What are you looking forward to this season – any new locations or different approaches?
“This year we’re focusing on the Kings and Queens of Fife + Tayside competition. This will see us compete at Kirkcaldy, Howe, Perth and Dundee. It’s nice to have a structured competition where we’ll come up against regular sides as well.
“We’ve also got some tournaments further afield that will really test the teams. In June our men and women will head to Harpenden Pub 7s, down in England’s Home Counties – which is part of the LIT Super Series – for the first time.
“Then in December, the men are returning to Dubai for the third time. Always a great week away and a huge challenge.”
From a personal perspective, how long have you been involved with the team and how has your role evolved over the years?
“This is now my 10th year running the team. When I first started, it was just a men’s team and incredibly social. Now we run both a men’s and women’s team, across an average of 10 competitions a season, and play tournaments all over the world.
“The ethos remains the same, however – to enjoy ourselves, play with mates and play in nicer weather than the 15s season provides!
“It’s a lot of work, I won’t lie. The season prep tends to start as soon as the previous season finishes, especially when organising for a tournament like Dubai 7s.
“The appeal lies in how far we’ve come. I know that with consistency in players, and availability, we can really compete and give players a brilliant platform to showcase their talent.
“That availability can be a challenge, though, when players are also involved in the Scottish Rugby setup as they don’t get released during camps and the 15s season always runs late into the start of 7s season. However, I do think we’ve cracked that problem this season. Time will tell…”
How would you say the sponsors’ involvement helps the players?
“Sponsorship has definitely been a welcome benefit. When we first started – when we were called The Mighty Bovs – our players paid for everything themselves. So it’s nice that all our sponsors’ support helps to cover things like the kit and some travel for the team.
“We know our sponsors support our games and it would be great to see them, in person, at more of the tournaments so the players can pass on their thanks, face-to-face.”
Was there a standout memory from the last season – a kind of ‘this is why I love doing it’ moment?
“There’s no specific moment that comes to mind – more just how the awareness of the charity has grown. When I first joined the 7s team, Hearts and Balls had their own 7s team but they only played a couple of tournaments a season whereas The Mighty Bovs, as they were, were playing around 12 a season.
“So now, post partnership, for us to represent Hearts and Balls at so many different tournaments, and really grow recognition for what the charity does, is great. You see it spreading through new friendships forming and people stepping up to fundraise for the charity. Also, I see it through the sheer amount of invites we get for tournaments every season. We get far more than those we manage to enter!”
Why, then, should people come to watch one of the tournaments this season?
“Well, I don’t want to speak too soon, but a lot of effort has gone into tweaking our model this season, which should lead to more consistency of players, better relationships on the field and stronger outcomes for each tournament.
“I think it’s going to be a good season to get down and watch us – we obviously always try our best to put on a champagne rugby show!
“Take our opening weekend as a prime example – three teams, only one match lost and we came away with two cup winners and a cup finalist!”
Catch the teams in action in person at one of this season’s tournaments and follow their progress through our Hearts + Balls social channels.
