- Teams arrive in Spain where Malaga and Seville will host the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series for the first time over three days of non-stop action
- New Zealand's men's and women's teams are unable to travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are replaced by Germany and Belgium, respectively
- Samoa men also unable to travel to Malaga and replaced by Jamaica in pool C
- Fiji women also miss out on Malaga while Fiji men's team are unable to take their place in the pool stage, but may yet be able to play later in the competition
- Play will kick-off at 09:00 GMT+1 on Friday, 21 January with a women’s Pool C encounter between Russia and Brazil and fans can find out where to watch the action live here
Following a thrilling double header at the Emirates Dubai 7s, which saw South Africa men and Australia women take home the silverware, attention now turns to Spain where Malaga will host the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series for the first time.
Taking place on 21-23 January, Spain prepares to make its debut as a host nation where the Estadio Cuidad de Malaga will welcome the men’s and women’s teams for three days of non-stop action. Malaga will become the first new host city in the women’s competition since Hamilton in New Zealand in 2020 and the 18th overall.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the New Zealand men’s and women’s teams are unable to travel to Spain for the Malaga and Seville events and will be replaced by Germany and Belgium, respectively, while Samoa men are also unable to travel and have been replaced by Jamaica in Pool C.
Fiji men's and women's teams are also currently unable to travel to Malaga and will not be replaced. Opponents in their respective group matches will receive three match points for a “bye” match and a score of 0-0 will be recorded for those games. It is yet to be confirmed if Fiji men will be able to arrive in time to participate later in the competition in the placement matches.
Play will kick-off at 09:00 local time on Friday, 21 January with a women’s Pool C encounter between Russia and Brazil before Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medallists France take on England.
Hosts Spain will face Dubai winners Australia, Ireland and Belgium in Pool A.
In the absence of Fiji, Pool B will now see invitational team Poland face Canada and USA in the pool stage.
The men’s competition will commence after the first round of women’s pool play on day one with Pool D’s Kenya and Canada getting things underway. Completing the line-up in Pool D is France and Wales.
Pool A will Dubai champions South Africa alongside England and Scotland, with Fiji now missing out.
Pool B includes Germany, Australia, Ireland and Japan while hosts Spain will take on USA, Jamaica and Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medallists Argentina in Pool C.
Completing the pool line-up is Kenya, Wales, France and Canada who make up Pool D.
Day two of the tournament will commence at 09:00 local time with the last of the women’s pool matches. The third and final day will kick off at 09:30 and will feature the Cup finals for both the men’s and women’s tournaments to determine the winners of the inaugural HSBC Spain Sevens in Malaga.
The 2022 Series continues as the sport looks to capitalise on a highly successful and impactful Olympic Games played in front of a huge global television audience, which generated more than 22 million video views and over 100 million social media impressions across World Rugby’s digital platforms.
Rugby sevens fans around the world can watch the action via live stream on World Rugby digital platforms including www.world.rugby, You Tube and Facebook in countries where there is no national broadcaster covering the event.
Tickets to the HSBC Spain Sevens in Malaga are available here.
HSBC Spain Sevens, Malaga pools
Women's
Pool A: Spain, Australia, Ireland, Belgium
Pool B: USA, Canada, Fiji*, Poland
Pool C: Russia, Brazil, France, England
Men's
Pool A: England, Fiji**, South Africa, Scotland
Pool B: Australia, Germany, Ireland, Japan
Pool C: USA, Spain, Argentina, Jamaica
Pool D: Kenya, Canada, France, Wales
* Fiji women unable to participate in Malaga, opponents will receive three match points for a “bye” match and a score of 0-0 will be recorded for those games.
** Fiji men unable to participate in pool stage in Malaga, opponents will receive three match points for a “bye” match and a score of 0-0 will be recorded for those games. To be confirmed if Fiji will be able to participate later in the competition.