Seven-a-side rugby, or sevens, has gone from being an end-of-season wind down to a specialist game in its own right.
Played on a full-sized pitch over two seven-minute halves, it is a much more free-flowing game than the traditional 15-a-side form and favours players who can combine evasive running with an abundance of pace.
Although the game is full contact, rucks and mauls are generally done very quickly, as are the scrums and lineouts, where only three players from each side are involved.
With only three forwards and four backs on each team, there is plenty of space for individuals to show off their skills in a game that really exploits the rugby basics – running, passing, tackling and decision-making.
More information on the basics of sevens is available in The Game section of this web site. Alternatively, the following links will provide you with:
In August 2009, rugby sevens was named as an Olympic sport to appear the 2016 games, a move that was welcomed by the RFU and IRB.
