COMMONWEALTH GAMES PREVIEW: UK Rugby Sevens
Shaun Gossen previews the Commonwealth Games, UK Rugby Sevens.
England, Wales and Scotland will make up the United Kingdom’s Commonwealth Games rugby sevens challenge when the tournament kicks off on Friday. No British nation has thus far claimed a gold medal in either the men’s or women’s events, with the England men coming closest in claiming a silver in 2006 and England women doing the same in 2018.
The Roses men have had a pretty forgettable campaign on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens circuit this season, occupying eighth with a third-place finish in Malaga marking their best performance to date. Skippered by the experienced Alex Davis, they’ll feel they have a point to prove being the Commonwealth hosts, and will look to build on their runner-up finish at the recent Europe Trophy Series this weekend.
With men’s teams like South Africa, Fiji and Australia looking so formidable at the moment, they’ll need a massive shift if they are to earn gold.
England women came out trumps in their Europe Trophy Series campaign, with a squad consisting of three members of the bronze medal-winning team from the 2018 Games. They finished ninth in the World Rugby Sevens series.
Wales men’s highest finish at the Commonwealth was fourth, a feat they achieved at the inaugural edition in 1998. Since then they’ve struggled to compete with the traditionally stronger sevens nations, and their underwhelming performances on this season’s World Rugby circuit suggest they may be scrambling again in Birmingham.
Scotland men finished sixth in 2010 and 2018 and, like Wales, have never really threatened to win gold. Sitting 12th on the sevens circuit this season, they shouldn’t be realistic contenders at the Games. Scotland women turned out just once on the circuit in 2021-22 and should struggle too.
Men’s verdict: South Africa 4/1
Women’s verdict: Australia 6/4
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