CUMNOCK rugby star Mark Bennett better pack his bags.

The ex-Nock ace has been named in the Team GB rugby sevens squad that will be heading to the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

The Glasgow Warriors and Scotland centre has impressed for both club and country over the past year, and he has now been rewarded with a seat on the plane to Rio.

Bennet, along with Mauchline rugby ace, Gavin Lowe, were selected to take part in Team GB's first ever rugby sevens training squad. Now Bennett has been chosen as one of Team GB's key man as they announced the twelve man squad.

Bennett took to Twitter to express his delight at making the cut.

He said: "Absolutely delighted to be named as part of the first Team GB Rugby 7's squad and cannot wait to get out to Brazil now."

It will be the first time in 108 years that Team GB has had representation in rugby at Olympic level and a first for the seven-a-side format.

The competition takes place from August 9 until August 11 with Kenya, Japan and New Zealand waiting in the pool stages for Team GB.

Bennett is being joined in the squad by fellow Scot Mark Robertson making the squad.

Scottish Rugby's head of Academy Stephen Gemmell and Head of Performance Medical Paul McGinley, will also head to the Olympics in a management capacity for Team GB's Rugby Sevens teams.

Team GB Head Coach, Simon Amor said: "At the recent tournament in Exeter, the crowd were chanting 'GB', something that has never been heard in the rugby sevens world before, and it was yet another reminder of how privileged we are to now be part of one Team GB and the largest sporting event in the world.

"Through the extraordinary GB spirit that has been created over the last seven weeks, all the players involved in the wider training squad have pushed themselves, and each other, to the limit. They have fought and fought for places each day. It has been incredibly competitive and the group has become very close in a short space of time.

"We have named a talented and experienced squad of 12 players today which we believe offers the right combinations and complimenting skill sets needed to be successful in Rio. It has however been a 27 player effort and recognition must go to every player involved in the programme, as well as the hard working and exceptional management team."