Hong Kong 7’s Preview

With the start of the World Championships, Hong Kong will no doubt be a spectacle of rugby 7’s, already one of the biggest 7’s tournaments in the world and this weekend it celebrates its 50th anniversary.

In the pool stages that start on Friday, GB Men will take on France, Fiji and Germany.

The women take on Canada, Australia and South Africa across Friday and Saturday ahead of the placing matches later on in the day and on Sunday.

GB7’s Director of Rugby, Ciaran Beattie said: ”It’s great that these World Championships get to start out in Hong Kong, it’s an iconic event celebrating its 50th year, so already having landed on the ground we can feel a bit of an extra tension and buzz that’s amongst all the teams.

“The whole season has been a build-up to these next three tournaments (Hong Kong, Valladolid and Bordeaux) and we’ve been quite clear on that all throughout the season that these three tournaments are what we’re going after. We’ve had a great prep camp so we’re looking forward to putting our best foot forward on day one against France and Fiji.

“In the women’s side we welcome back two experienced Olympians in Lauren Torley and Ellie Boatman, who will no doubt add experience and pressure throughout the tournament. I’m very excited to see them continue their progression as they have done all season.

“In the men’s side we have a relatively consistent squad, however we’re welcoming back Rory McHaffie following his time in the Scotland Under 20’s. He’s come back in brilliant form and really earned his selection.”

Hong Kong SVNS World Championship Pool Fixtures – All matches available live on Rugby Pass (UK kick-off times)

Friday 17 April

Men
France V Great Britain – 05:48
Fiji V Great Britain – 09:21

Women
Canada V Great Britain – 06:02
Australia V Great Britain – 08:35

Saturday 18 April

Men
Great Britain V Germany – 04:50

Women
Great Britain V South Africa – 04:04

(Further fixtures will be dependent on pool stage results)

The teams

Women’s squad

2. Abigail Brown – Loughborough Lightning/RFU (Co-Captain)
4. Grace Crompton – Harlequins/RFU
10. Katie Shillaker – Harlequins/RFU (Co-Captain)
23. Heather Cowell – Harlequins/RFU
24. Freya Aucken – Harlequins/RFU
25. Ella Lovibond – Bristol Bears/RFU
27. Georgie Lingham – Leicester Tigers/RFU
36. Lauren Torley – Harlequins/RFU
42. Victoria Laflin – Ealing Trailfinders/RFU
48. Reneeqa Bonner – Bristol Bears/RFU
57. Elie Boatman – Ealing Trailfinders/RFU
60. Alicia Maude – Loughborough Lightning/RFU
67. Ellen Scatlebury – Exeter/RFU

Men’s squad

2. Ross McCann – Edinburgh Rugby
4. Roan Frostwick – Scotland Sevens
5. Marcus Kershaw – Great Britain Sevens
6. Matt Davidson – Scotland Sevens
8. Jacob Henry – Scotland Sevens
9. Rory McHaffie – Edinburgh Rugby Pro Academy
11. Ethan Waddleton – Great Britain Sevens
12. Ben Salmon – Glasgow Warriors Pro Academy
13. Fin Lloyd-Gilmour – Great Britain Sevens
14. Ryan Apps – Great Britain Sevens
15. Tom Burton – Great Britain Sevens
24. Charlton Kerr (Captain) – Great Britain Sevens
44. Sunni Jardine – Great Britain Sevens