Jim Hamilton cannot wait to see Scotland take on the ‘mega’ might of New Zealand and hopes a strong Six Nations can be a springboard for World Cup success.
The former international-turned podcaster and pundit, 43, believes the northern hemisphere section of the Nations Championship will be another litmus test of Scotland’s level ahead of a potentially World Cup-defining Six Nations.
Hamilton, who racked up 63 caps and played for Edinburgh before stints at Gloucester, Montpellier and Saracens, is relishing the prospect of welcoming the All Blacks to Murrayfield.
And he believes pitting two rapid attacking sides against one another will produce fireworks in the capital.
“We’re a good team,” said Hamilton. “Are we good enough to win the Six Nations? We’ve not proven we are there yet. We’ve got New Zealand first up in the Nations Championship, which will be mega.
“That’s a well-matched up team playing against another team with a similar style, and everything will be on the Six Nations in the lead up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Scotland played well in the South Africa game in July and looked very good in attack against France putting 50 points on them.
“There’s a good team and then there’s trying to break into the top teams in the world, into your South Africa, New Zealand, France, Ireland group.
“I know that we beat France but to break in is a big shift, and I don’t know whether we’ve got the strength and depth in the forwards, but we’re an exciting team.
“To win the Six Nations would be a big ask because the quality of France, Ireland and England is great.”
Hamilton was speaking as an ambassador ahead of this week’s London City 7s event, held in the heart of the capital at the Honourable Artillery Company.
Champions Cup holders Union Bordeaux Bègles are joined by USA Perpignan as French TOP14 sides sending squads to the capital.
And the former Montpellier lock is excited to reach new audiences in the centre of London.
He said: “Rugby is in a good spot and it’s great to be with people who are trying to do innovative things to engage current and new audiences.
“Everyone’s talking about growing the sport and it’s becoming slightly tiresome, what we’re seeing now is people actively doing that.
“The London City 7s is targeting an already engaged audience in the centre of London, bringing rugby, business and great athletes together. The dream is that this becomes an annual event with the best teams from all over the world. We’ve got big ambitions.
“Noah Caluori played last year for Saracens, look at how his 12 months have unfolded. This can become an event where teams see real value in developing and bringing new superstars into the game using 7s as a gateway.
“I played a couple of exhibition matches at the Honourable Artillery Company, with the artillery allegedly underneath the pitch.
“We talk about iconic venues, and we saw that with Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry playing in Baltimore and the British & Irish Lions at the MCG.
“The London City 7s isn’t on that scale, but the City is quintessential England and Britain isn’t it?”
PLEASE LEAVE IN FINAL PAR - London City 7s is world-class rugby sevens on your doorstep, fast, high-scoring action with great food, drink and an electric City crowd. A premium day out, whether you're a die-hard fan or here for the occasion. Buy tickets here
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