Review of Valladolid Sevens

1 Jun 2026

Great Britain 7s experienced a disappointing weekend in Spain, finishing twelfth in both the men’s and women’s tournament, meaning a high finish is required this weekend in Bordeaux to finish in the top eight and retain their place in the Sevens Series.

The tournament marked the end of a long road to return from injury for Kaleem Barreto who played for the men’s team and in day one, GB7s ran South Africa and Australia close but lost narrowly. They then lost out to Kenya, USA and Uruguay across day two and day three.

The women’s team also experienced a disappointing three days, ultimately losing narrowly to Argentina 24-19 in the 11th placed play-off.

VALLADOLID, SPAIN – May 31: Uruguay edged Great Britain 19–17 in the men’s 11th Place Play-Offs at the 2026 HSBC SVNS Valladolid at Estadio José Zorrilla on May 31, 2026 in Valladolid, Spain. (Photo by Alex Ho / World Rugby)

GB7S Director of Rugby Ciaran Beattie: “It was a really tough weekend for both teams. The women’s team showed signs of promise and did well against Canada but ultimately didn’t do enough in critical moments. They were targeting that Spain game but they showed their class and went on to have a really good tournament.

“The women’s team ran Brazil and Argentina close but ultimately at this stage of the season we need to be better and winning these games. They now need to go to have an excellent tournament in Bordeaux. We knew that anyway, so while the task is more difficult, the plan hasn’t changed too much.

VALLADOLID, SPAIN – May 29: Canada defeated Great Britain 21–12 in a women’s Pool C match at the 2026 HSBC SVNS Valladolid at Estadio José Zorrilla on May 29, 2026 in Valladolid, Spain. (Photo by Alex Ho / World Rugby)

“In terms of the men, we started off well in day one and put in some excellent performances against South Africa and Australia. We need to be crossing the line at this stage though and to not do that is really disappointing.

“Similar to the women, we know we now need to have an excellent tournament to finish in that top eight and avoid relegation.”

World Sevens Series Results

Men’s:

Friday 29 May
Pool A: South Africa 17-12 GB7s
Pool A: Australia 26-21 GB7s

Saturday 30 May
Pool A: Kenya 12-7 Great Britain
9th placed semi-final: GB7s 21-26 USA

Sunday 31 May
11th placed play-off: GB7s 17-19 Uruguay

Women’s:

Friday 29 May
Pool C: France 34-0 GB7s
Pool C: Canada 21-12 GB7s

Saturday 30 May
Pool C: Spain 26-0 Great Britain
9th placed semi-final: Brazil 19-17 GB7s

Sunday 31 May
11th place play-off: Argentina 24-19 GB7s

Men’s Squad

Roan Frostwick (Scotland Sevens)
Marcus Kershaw (Great Britain Sevens)
Matt Davidson (Scotland Sevens)
Jacob Henry (Scotland Sevens)
Ethan Waddleton (Great Britain Sevens)
Ben Salmon (Glasgow Warriors Pro-Academy)
Fin Lloyd Gilmour (Great Britain Sevens)
Ryan Apps (Great Britain Sevens)
Tom Burton (Exeter University)
Kaleem Barreto
Josh Radcliffe (Scotland Sevens)
Charlton Kerr (Great Britain Sevens) CAPTAIN
Sunni Jardine (Great Britain Sevens)

Women’s Squad

Abbie Brown (RFU/Loughborough) – CO-CAPTAIN
Grace Crompton (RFU/ Harlequins)
Evelyn Clarke (RFU/Loughborough)
Katie Shillaker (RFU/Harlequins) – CO-CAPTAIN
Courtney Greenway (WRU/Gwalia Lightning)
Chantelle Miell (RFU/Saracens)
Heather Cowell (RFU/Harlequins)
Hanna Tudor (WRU)
Georgie Lingham (RFU/Tigers)
Solana Shaw de Leon (RFU/Harlequins)
Hannah Bluck (WRU/Brython Thunder)
Ellie Boatman (RFU/Ealing)
Ellen Scantlebury (RFU/Exeter)