Antoine Dupont, the 2021 world player of the year in rugby union, is gearing up to temporarily set aside XVs and transition to sevens. Unfortunately, his debut at the Emirates Dubai Sevens won’t materialize, as he targets a significant presence at the Paris Olympics in 2024 with the French sevens team.
Despite the notable absence of one of the sport’s premier players, Dubai remains a pivotal starting point for the World Sevens Series. This year introduces a revamped series format under the rebranded HSBC SVNS series, featuring a reduction in both vowels and participating teams. The men’s and women’s tournaments will now consist of 12 teams each, divided into three groups of four.
The series aims to promote equality and progress, offering equal participation fees for male and female teams. The tour will venture into two new cities, Perth and Madrid, with the latter hosting the grand final. The altered format promises heightened drama, with the top eight teams based on cumulative series points competing in a winner-takes-all final leg in Madrid. Additionally, there will be a relegation play-off, involving teams ranked ninth to 12th, and the top four teams from the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series.
In their efforts to showcase a vibrant atmosphere, organizers emphasize a “summer vibes” and “festival feels” theme for the tournaments. The series will integrate various elements, such as rugby, music, food, and well-being, appealing to a diverse audience. Events will also feature non-contact rugby, functional fitness, and other sports like cricket, netball, cross, fit, and padel , promising a unique and inclusive experience for attendees.
