Teams announced for second IRB Women’s Challenge Cup

As the poster on the right reveals, the 12 teams for the second official IRB women’s sevens will be…

• Australia (World champions)
• Brazil (South American champions)
• Canada (Winners in Dubai)
• China (Asian champions)
• England (European champions)
• Hong Kong (hosts)
• Japan (Asian no. 3)
• Netherlands (European no. 3)
• Russia (World Cup hosts, European no. 4)
• Spain (European no. 2)
• Tunisia (Africa North/West champions)
• USA (Las Vegas finalists)

How much we can read into this about the 12 who will take part in the women’s “tour” that should start next season is debatable. South Africa – who were in Dubai – are not listed (either because they could not make it or because the IRB wanted to be fair and offer a place to another African team  – who knows – but probably the former is more likely). They would be normally expected to be the strongest side on the continent. Their replacements – Tunisia – while the strongest side in the north of the continent,  have rarely played outside Africa before and it is unlikely they will be a major worry for the leading teams.

France – third in Las Vegas – are also absent, still paying for 15 minutes of madness when the lost to Portugal in the European Championships last summer. Russia – who slipped past them into fourth in that championship take the fourth European spot as a result.

Asia has a beefed-up representation. Hosts Hong Kong have a long history but, like Japan found in Las Vegas, will find competing with the pace and stamina of the professional and semi-pro teams very hard work. Japan are also here, as are China – but there is no sign of Asia’s #2 team Kazakhstan. Also none of the Pacific teams have been included, which is a pity as Fiji, Samoa or Papua New Guinea would all have provided interesting and more varied opposition.

All of the pro sides will be in Hong Kong – the inclusion of Netherlands is a step forward, though they will probably still be without Kelly van Harskamp, ScrumQueens leading sevens players of 2011, so it is likely that they may under-perform again. In fact the tournament neatly divides itself down the middle into two groups – the “top six” who could all, in theory, have a shout at at least a semi-final place – Australia, Canada, England, Netherlands, Spain and USA – and the rest who, realistically, will have their targets set on Bowls and Plates.

Until we see a draw its difficult to speculate further – but who would bet against Canada winning a sixth “major”?