Guscott takes on your questions

Former Bath and England star Jeremy Guscott MBE was on hand to answer your questions ahead of the Games' rugby sevens events.

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One of rugby's biggest stars, Jeremy Guscott can look back on a remarkable career with Bath and England, which saw him claim 30 tries in 65 Test matches.

No fan could ever forget the last-minute drop goal that Guscott scored to secure the Lions' victory in their second Test against South Africa in 1997.

And Jeremy's charity work has seen him complete an 800-mile sponsored walk around England.

He now joins the BBC commentary team for the Commonwealth Games' rugby sevens, one of blue riband events of the tournament.

Latest rugby sevens news

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Mark Greenslade, UK

Hiya Jeremy, Where would you say is the most intimidating arena you have played in throughout your glittering career with Bath, England and the Lions?

I'd also be very interested to know which crowd or crowds where the best, in the respect of supporting their team.

The most intimidating stadium was the old national stadium of Wales, Arms Park in Cardiff. And even now, with the Millennium stadium, it's still intimidating because everybody is close to the pitch.

I happen to think it is one of the best stadiums in the world, if not the very best, because of the way it has been built. Everyone is close to the action, you can literally feel the supporters' breath on the back of your necks when you run out - you certainly know they're there.

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Stuart Harris, Birmingham, England

Hi Jeremy, do you think there should have been a few more of the stars of the 15 man game in the England sqaud? i.e. Robinson, Healy and Moody?

Yes, definitely, I would have loved to have seen Jason Robinson play. He's local to Manchester and a superstar of rugby. And it would have been good to see Austin Healy.

But you have to bear in mind that the England team has gone through the whole of the world series, if somebody was been left out they'd have been fairly gutted. But now that I'm here, I'd love to have seen Jason Robinson.

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Rob Powell, England

I'm a big fan of England fullback Jason Robinson and thought he would be a wonderful inclusion in the squad as he is such a blessed runner.

I'd agree with that, definitely. What we've got to understand is that Jason has played non-stop rugby. He had a season of rugby league and then came in and played union, then went on tour. I think we'll see the benefit of his rest in Australia during the World Cup next year

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Luke Robbins,England

What advice would you offer the England team in advance of their challenge in the 7's tournament and how would you prepare them for the All Blacks?

First off, I'm certainly no coach! I think everyone is as fit as one another now, in international rugby, and I think it is about who has the mental edge. Our captain is Phil Greening, who is not a renowned sevens player, and New Zealand's captain is Eric Rush, who is a legend.

I do think that New Zealand are favourites, probably along with Fiji, but England are playing at home, everyone will be willing them to win. And if they can get some energy from the crowd then they can do well. So the advice, basically: keep your heads and look for the support of the 38,000.

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Rob, NZ

New Zealand won seven tournaments this season with their B squad, beating England every time they met. Why do England rate their chances this time against NZ's first string side?

The Tri Nations are taking place so I don't think it's New Zealand's A side. New Zealand are coming off the back of four straight wins. But England won in Hong Kong, they've had that winning experience, there's a lot of that squad playing, and we're playing at home.

I don't think England are going over the top in thinking they can win. A lot of youngsters these days believe in themselves and they say it, whereas me, as an older guy...we never went out there saying 'we're definitely going to win'. These young guys are gung-ho, and good luck to them!

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Ben, UK

Countries such as New Zealand and Fiji seem to place a much greater emphasis on sevens as a way of training for the XV game.

Do you think that England should follow suit - at the moment the 7s squad seems to mostly contain outsiders for England XV places such as Henry Paul, Josh Lewsey and James Simpson-Daniel.

You have to look at traditions and culture. In Fiji and New Zealand, sevens is a way of rugby life. OK, we invented the game over here, but it has never been a priority. I think it is something England should address, and I think in announcing John Lydon as coach, and in getting the whole management team and the squad that they have travelling round the world, they are addressing it.

If I was 18 and I thought I had a chance of making it into rugby, and someone offered me the chance to go travelling round the world for a year playing seven a side rugby, I would jump at it! It would be a fantastic experience and get you right up there at the highest level.

If we look at some of the top players in the world; Jonah Lomu, Christian Cullen, they all played sevens, crashed on to the scene in Hong Kong, went on these world series, and dominated in Kuala Lumpur four years ago. So if they can do it, why can't anyone else?

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Olly, England

Do you think it is right that Henry Paul who has represented New Zealand in League should have a place in this squad?

Tough one! I played alongside Mike Catt at Bath and with England. Mike was born in South Africa, but has ties with England through his family. With Henry Paul¿ I can say no more than the rules and the laws are there, and he is there by legal means.

It must be a very tough decision for an individual to make. I mean, he's effectively a New Zealander playing for England, but I for one am very pleased that he is playing for England in the sevens!

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Mark M, London, England

What effect will the rugby league players have on the tournament? Will they be at an advantage in terms of fitness and handling?

Having been at Bath with Jason Robinson and Henry Paul, and certainly in open play they were devastating. Henry is taking time to adapt, but I think he is going to really enjoy this experience of sevens. Apparantly he was fantastic in Hong Kong, and I can't wait to see him.

And we've got a couple of Bradford Bulls playing for Tonga. They might not be quite fit enough in sevens because it is so explosive. In rugby league you can go to the wing and hide for a bit.

But here it's turnover, turnover, turnover, you may be expected to do six 80-metre runs in the space of two minutes, which is very demanding. But I think in playing sevens, they're definitely a bonus to have.

A couple of the England guys are very pacey, obviously that will help them...

Yes, I think Paul Sampson used to be a junior sprinter, so he's one to look at. Most of the England team are not household names, but you can never rule out the home nation, and I just think that with that support, they're going to do very well.

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Grant Coombes, England

Do you think that the selection of Marcus St Hilaire will pay off, or should John Lyons have selected Richard Haughton, who has been compared to Andrew Harryman?

Very tough for Haughton, but you'd like to put your faith in John Lydon, and think that he has made the right decision. His job depends on it!

They're building the squad, and I think certainly, in the RFU's plan for performance, they targeted winning the gold at Kuala Lumpur. That's a massive target, with massive pressure on the management.

I kind of back the idea of bringing league guys in, but I do feel sorry for the guys left out. These are tough decisions!

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Richard, English living in Australia

Do you think Marcus St Hilaire he can offer England something that the abundant young Union talent can't?

I don't know, would be my honest answer. There's lots of young talent out there, it's a decision the management have made, and they're the ones who live and die by those decisions.

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Stephen Walker, Scotland

Why is there no Northern Ireland sevens team, I'm sure Ulster could provide a class team?

I'm sure they could! That's a question he'd have to ask the authorities. I'd like to see them play, I'd like to see as many teams as possible play. It's great that we've got the likes of Trinidad and Tobago, Kenya and the Cook Islands, and I can't wait to see them.