Sevens
The HSBC SVNS 3 will take place during the Emirates Dubai Sevens weekend on November 27-28, marking the first time the third-tier competition has been held alongside the top division at the fan-favourite event.
World Rugby has confirmed the location and dates of the important tournament, which will feature six international women’s and men’s teams. Teams can reserve their spot at SVNS 3 through regional competitions, and most of those spots are already filled.
Hong Kong China, Canada, Italy, Chile, Zimbabwe and Samoa won a ticket to Dubai in the men’s competition. China, Mexico, Poland, Colombia and Samoa are some of the women’s teams, with one more spot still up for grabs.
The top two teams from the Women’s and Men’s HSBC SVNS 3 will secure promotion to SVNS 2, which then represents the path to the HSBC SVNS World Championship. SVNS 2 will be held at all tournaments in Nairobi, Sao Paulo and Montevideo early next year.
“The return of the HSBC SVNS 3 to Dubai is another important moment for the development of International Rugby Sevens and our ambition to create significant opportunities for more nations to compete on the global stage,” said World Rugby Sevens CEO Sam Pinder.
“Bringing HSBC SVNS 3 together with HSBC SVNS provides a fantastic platform to showcase the depth of talent in the game, from teams looking to take the next step to the best in the world competing at the highest level.
“With promotion to HSBC SVNS 2 on the line, there is a lot to play for and we look forward to an exciting Rugby Week weekend in Dubai.”
SVNS 3 will be held alongside the first league, which consists of the eight best women’s and men’s national teams in the world. New Zealand are the defending champions, with the Black Ferns Sevens and All Blacks Sevens taking the tiles a year ago.
Dubai is once again the first stop on the world’s premier sevens circuit, which then heads to Cape Town before the New Year. Singapore, Perth, Vancouver and New York will host other regular season tournaments before the famous SVNS World Championship.
Hong Kong China, Valladolid and Bordeaux will once again be the destination of the World Cup, with 12 women’s and men’s teams competing for the circuit’s top prize. It is possible for SVNS 3 teams to qualify for the World Championship.
