World Rugby acknowledges and supports the decision taken jointly by the RFU, Scottish Rugby and the WRU for Great Britain Sevens (GB) to compete in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, beginning with the 2023 Series.
The decision, which aligns with their Olympic participation status and qualification pathway, means there will be no team relegated from the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2022, as England, Scotland and Wales are replaced by a GB team, while GB will directly replace England in the women’s Series.
Great Britain previously participated in the Series in 2021 in preparation for the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
England, Scotland and Wales will compete as individual nations in the Commonwealth Games, which take place at Coventry Stadium on 29-31 July, and Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town on 9-11 September and the respective unions and World Rugby are in discussions with regard to further playing opportunities for the England, Scotland and Wales teams.
It has also been confirmed by the World Rugby Executive Committee that Russia’s women’s sevens team have been withdrawn from the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 in line with the ongoing suspension of the Rugby Union of Russia from World Rugby membership and from participating in all international rugby competitions. As a result Brazil will maintain their status as a core team in the women’s 2023 Series.
The winners of the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series, which takes place in Chile on 12-14 August, will gain promotion to the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023, as this important pathway to encourage the global growth of rugby sevens returns after a one-year break due to the pandemic.
World Rugby Media Release
Photo credit: World Rugby
