Wales and Scotland Set to Return to International 7s

from Scrumqueens:

Both Wales and Scotland women’s rugby teams are set to return to international 7s, after a gap (in one case) of over 15 years. They have both been included in the draw for the European World Cup 7s qualifiers – but face a tough battle if they are to make it to Moscow in 2013.

Wales were European champions in 2006, but have not played any competitive 7s since the last World Cup qualifier in 2008. Seeded fourth, and expected to win a place in the World Cup, they suffered a surprise defeat against Italy early in the tournament – followed by further defeats to Spain and France – finished 7th, and did not go to Dubai.

This will be the first time that Scotland have ever played in any European 7s tournament. Aside from a very low key “Home Nations Sevens” in Edinburgh in 2008 they have only ever played sevens once – in Hong Kong in 1997.

As a result neither country has any ranking in European 7s, and both will start at the bottom. Wales must to travel to Bulgaria for a pre-qualifier on 9th and 10th June involving 11 other teams – all “smaller” nations, but all with many years of experience behind them. Their opponents will be Romania, Bulgaria, Latvia, Hungary, Lithuania, Slovakia, Croatia, Austria, Denmark, Andorra and Bosnia & Herzegovina – and Wales will have to reach the final if they are to take part in the main European qualifier a few weeks later.

Scotland have a similar task, over the same weekend. They take on Finland, Norway, Malta, Georgia, Serbia, Czech Republic, Belgium, Poland and Israel and again must reach the final if they are to have any chance to progress.

If Wales or Scotland do make it through to the next round they will join Europe’s “Top 12” (England, Spain, Netherlands, Russia, France, Portugal, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Moldova, Ukraine, and Switzerland) in the continent’s final qualifier, to be played in Moscow on weekend of 30th June/1st July. Only the top five teams (plus Russia, as hosts in 2013) will qualify for the World Cup.

The top 12 will also have a tournament of their own, to be held in Amsterdam on 16th and 17th June. This, together will the results from Moscow two weeks later, will decide the European Championship.

Only three of the continent’s 37 women’s rugby-playing nations have not entered – Luxembourg, Slovenia and Ireland.