Rugby

No rounds in Australia or New Zealand as World Rugby sevens calendar announced

Difficulties with travel restrictions means Spain acts as new hosts with two rounds

Jordan Conroy in action for Ireland during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho

Tue Oct 12 2021 - 12:22

The 2022 World Rugby Sevens Series will kick off with a pair of men’s and women’s rounds in Dubai starting in November, while Hong Kong returns as a stop, the sport’s global body said on Tuesday as it announced its schedule.

Sydney, Australia and Hamilton, New Zealand will not host the series next year due to logistical challenges associated with the Covid-19 pandemic, World Rugby added.

Instead, Spain will play host for the first time with men’s and women’s events scheduled in Malaga and Seville from January 21st-23rd and 28th-30th.

Toulouse in France will also welcome teams in May next year.

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The series will have 10 men’s and seven women’s rounds over six months. The first round in Dubai will be behind closed doors from November 26th-27th followed by another on December 3rd-4th with fans in attendance at The Sevens Stadium.

“A lot of hard work has gone on behind the scenes to ensure we can announce a full series schedule today,” World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin said in a statement.

“We thank HSBC, the host organisations, unions, commercial and broadcast partners for their unwavering support and spirit of collaboration as we navigate the challenges of the global Covid-19 pandemic together.”

The men’s series will also have a North American round in Vancouver (February 26th-27th) and Los Angeles (March 5th-6th) before moving to Asia, where Hong Kong will host a men’s and women’s event (April 1st-3rd) after a gap of two years.

That will be followed by a men’s event in Singapore (April 9th-10th).

“As ever, the health and welfare of players, fans and wider society continues to be our primary concern and we will work closely with all stakeholders to ensure the safe delivery of the series,” Gilpin said.

Both Ireland men’s and women’s squads are core teams on the sevens series circuit.