On Saturday afternoon, the Singha Premiership Rugby 7’s Series returns to the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park for the second year. Cardiff Blues, along with Newport Gwent Dragons, Scarlets and Ospreys (Group A) play each other in back to back games, with the intention of reaching the final to be played at the Twickenham Stoop on 28th August 2015.
Last year, Wales’ four Professional teams were invited to enter the competition for the first time. Amidst the storm of the row between Pro Rugby Wales (PRW) and the WRU, news of the invitation to compete in the tournament broke in the same week that PRW had signed a ground breaking sponsorship deal with BT Sport.
There had also been threats earlier in the year to leave the Pro 12 and explore alternative avenues of competition, possibly involving the Aviva Premiership sides. This arose because the new Rugby Services Agreement had yet to be thrashed out and signed.
There was a noticeable desire at the time to stress the burgeoning relationship between PRW and the English Clubs. “The bond between the Premiership Rugby Clubs and our friends in the Welsh Regions gets stronger every year” said Premiership Rugby Chief Mark McCafferty at the time.
Cynics may say this move was a nudge in the direction of the WRU to get their act together. As important, if not more so, this new development was part of their admission that they needed to come to terms with the ever developing requirements of the Professional game.
In October last year, when the newly named PRW was launched, CEO Mark Davis, said
“…in professional sport, it is impossible to stand still as our competitors move on and develop very quickly. It is essential that we work together and push hard to produce revenue and reduce costs across all four businesses.”
Again, the cynics may say that money is at the heart of the four teams’ involvement. There is far more to it than that though. There is a recurring theme in soundbites from the key men at board level this year. Again Mark Davis has referred to “the spirit of partnership we have with the English clubs and our sponsor BT Sport.”
Looking at the make-up of all the squads, there is quite an array of young talent set to appear. Cardiff Blues, winners of the corresponding day last year, are captained by Wales 7s scrum half Lewis Jones. Seb Davies, Ben Roach, Geraint Walsh, Ellis Wyn Benham and Owen Jenkins are all appearing for the second time.
Encouragingly, 10 of the squad are in or have come through the Blues’ Academy – not bad for a team often criticised for not bringing enough players through from there. Of course, these players have to make the most of the opportunity. Recently, Danny Wilson stated that part of his brief as new coach was to change the perception that these youngsters had “made it” once they had signed contracts with the Senior squad, so the challenge is clear for them.
All in all, having attended last year as well, this is an excellent opportunity for Cardiff to put on a real show. In the words of Cardiff Blues’ CEO Richard Holland, We expect a great atmosphere and a packed family audience to support the four Welsh sides – there’s lots planned for a great day out at our ground, and it’s exciting for the Cardiff Blues to be hosting such an established and creditable competition.”
The target of reaching the Stoop at the end of August is in the background, but Saturday is all about producing a day of entertainment and excitement. 7’s is soon to become an Olympic Sport. With BT Sport covering all five days of the Tournament, it’s a chance for the profile of the game to be increased further. It’s great for the Welsh teams to be part of that. It’s also an opportunity for the individuals themselves to raise their own profiles in their teams and the National game.
Here’s hoping for another successful day, building on what was achieved last year.
How the competition works.
Group A – Cardiff Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons, Ospreys, Scarlets.
Saturday 15th August, BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park, First Maych Starts at 3:15pm
Group B – Bath Rugby, Exeter Chiefs, Gloucester Rugby, London Irish
Thursday 20th August, Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester, First Match starts at 7.15pm
Group C – Harlequins, Northampton Saints, Saracens, Wasps
Friday 21 August, Ricoh Arena, Coventry, First Match Starts at 7.15pm
Group D – Leicester Tigers, Newcastle Falcons, Sale Sharks, Worcester Warriors
Saturday 22 August, Kingston Park, Newcastle, First Match starts at 4.00pm
Top two teams from each group advance to the Twickenham Stoop
Quarter Finals
Friday 28 August, Twickenham Stoop, First Match Starts at 6.oopm
Plate Semi-Finals
Friday 28th August, Twickenham Stoop First Match Starts at 7.40pm
Plate Final
Friday 28th August, Twickenham Stoop Starts at 9.20pm
Cup Semi-Final
Friday 28th August, Twickenham Stoop, First Match Starts at 8.05pm
Cup Final
Friday 28th August, Twickenham Stoop, Match Starts at 9.45pm
Main Photo
