No England, Ireland or United States: World Rugby defend revamped Dubai Sevens

World Rugby bosses say they still regard sevens as a vehicle to grow the sport despite shrinking the world series.

Only eight sides will play on each of the men’s and women’s series for the majority of this season as part of a revamped format for the abridged game.

That is half the number of men’s sides who competed in the main event at Dubai Sevens a decade ago, for example.

Rugby was gearing up for its return to the Olympics then. The debut of sevens at Rio 2016 was widely regarded as a success, which it was hoped would increase the sport’s appeal in new territories, including Olympic powerhouses like the United States and Russia.

Within two Olympic cycles, it had become one of the most popular events in the Games. At Paris in 2024, sevens – fuelled by the success of Antoine Dupont’s France side – was reportedly the most watched sport after track and field.

And yet just over a season later, the Men’s HSBC SVNS has contracted to eight sides: Argentina, South Africa, France, Fiji, Spain, New Zealand, Australia and Great Britain.

It means many of the countries that have given Dubai Sevens in particular so much of its colour in the past are now absent.

Four-time champions England are a distant memory. They were initially integrated into the new Great Britain side, but have since cut support to that. The GB men’s side is now run by Scotland.

Ireland’s men reached the final in Dubai three years ago, but have now disbanded.