It says much about the popularity of the Dubai Sevens that the controversy over a diminished world series will scarcely be noticed this weekend.
It is a long time since the annual festival in the desert was about merely rugby, let alone just the top-tier event involving the abridged format’s leading nations.
World series decline
Due to funding issues, the top-tier tournament will be without many of the teams that have given Dubai Sevens so much of its colour down the years.
Title winners in the city, such as England, Wales and Samoa, will not be here. Ireland, who were world series runners-up two seasons ago, have been disbanded.
The United States' men are absent. Scotland’s men will be here, but under the guise of Great Britain. And there will be no Kenya Corner.
It is all down to the fact the men’s and women’s competitions have been contracted to just the top eight sides from last year’s series.
World series pools
Men’s
A – South Africa, Argentina, France, Fiji
B – Spain, New Zealand, Australia, Great Britain
Women’s
A – New Zealand, United States, Fiji, France
B – Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Japan
Fiji playeers celebrate victory after their 19-5 win over Spain to win the Emirates Dubai Sevens title on December 1, 2024. Getty Images Fiji players celebrate their win over Spain. Victor Besa / The National Fiji players celebrate their win. Victor Besa / The National Fiji players celebrate their win.
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