HSBC World Rugby Sevens 2019 finale in Paris

The HSBC World Rugby Sevens 2019 is heading for a very tight finish at the top and bottom of the log with the Champions for 2019 set to be decided as well as the unfortunate team to be
relegated.

With Fiji and USA in a titanic struggle at the top of the standings, Fiji having clawed back the early runaway season leaders USA; only two points separate the teams at the summit. Whereas the US is searching for its first ever World Rugby Sevens title, Fiji will be looking to avoid the last gasp disappointment as they did last year, losing out to South Africa.

Japan and avoiding 7s relegation

For Asian rugby fans, sadly the attention may be at the other end of the spectrum with Japan looking to avoid relegation in 2020, a year in which they of course host the Olympic 7s rugby.

Although Japan had an improved performance in London last weekend, it is imperative they finish above Kenya and Wales in Paris. Japan find themselves in Pool D with France, New Zealand and Scotland.  Both Kenya and Wales find themselves in Pool C.

Ireland confirmed their core status for 2020 by winning the promotion tournament in Hong Kong in April.

You can read our interview with Brian O’Driscoll here about the 7s and his views in Irish 7s rugby.

Paris 7s pools

The pools and matches can be followed on the HSBC World Sevens website.

Credit: HSBC World Sevens Paris 2019

Pool A

• Fiji
• Ireland
• Argentina
• England

Pool B

• Australia
• South Africa
• Wales
• Kenya

Pool C

• USA
• Canada
• Samoa
• Spain

Pool D

• France
• New Zealand
• Scotland
• Japan

Current HSBC World Rugby 7s standings

• Wales: 30 points
• Kenya: 27 points
• Japan: 25 points

You can see the full standings here.

2020 Olympic 7s spots

The top four teams in the HSBC World Sevens 2019 have gained automatic qualification to next years Olympics and those spots cant be changed this weekend with Fiji, USA, NZ and South Africa confirming their entry to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Japan as hosts has also gained automatic entry. The other Asian hopefuls will compete in a qualifying process with the men’s teams playing in Korea in November and the women’s teams in China.

2020 Asian Olympic Qualifiers

• Women’s 7s: 9-10 NOVEMBER, 2019. Guangzhou, China
• Men’s 7s: 23-24 NOVEMBER, 2019. Incheon, Korea