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Latest News
Andy Vilk, head coach of Italy men's sevens
4 min read

RWC Sevens 2022 qualifying

Italy men’s sevens team seeks return to the big stage

The European men's qualification tournament for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 is on the horizon with the prize of four tickets to Cape Town, South Africa at stake in July.

RWC Sevens 2022 qualifying

Thu 19 May, 2022
4 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Black Ferns Sevens renew riveting rivalry with Australia on HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia wrapped up the 2022 Series title in Langford, but the Black Ferns Sevens left Canada with plenty to celebrate as they begin a busy period.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 3 May, 2022
4 min read
Madagascar Women's Sevens
3 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: Madagascar latest team to book ticket to Cape Town

Following another intense weekend of qualifying action we now know the identity of 12 women's and 20 men's teams who will compete at RWC Sevens 2022.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Mon 2 May, 2022
3 min read
HSBC Spain Sevens Seville 2022 - Women's
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe keen to drive Ireland onto Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

We spoke to the prolific Ireland star about backing up the team’s success in Seville and plotting their path to Cape Town in September.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 26 April, 2022
4 min read
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
5 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Everything you need to know about Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Your guide to RWC Sevens 2022, which will take place in Cape Town between 9-11 September this year.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Fri 8 April, 2022
5 min read
2018 Highlights
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
08:29 mins

Highlights: New Zealand win big in San Francisco

New Zealand retained their Rugby World Cup Sevens title in San Francisco
Mon 23 July, 2018
08:29 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
07:03 mins

Highlights: New Zealand women's win Rugby World Cup Sevens

Check out all the top action as New Zealand win The Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco
Sun 22 July, 2018
07:03 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
06:30 mins

HIGHLIGHTS: Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two

Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two of action at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 #RWC7s
Sun 22 July, 2018
06:30 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day One
06:51 mins

Highlights: Men's quarter-finals decided

Men's quarter-finals of Rugby World Cup Sevens decided after incredible first day at AT&T Park
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:51 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
06:26 mins

Highlights: Women's semi-finals confirmed at Rugby World Cup Sevens

Championship semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day one of action
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:26 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 qualifier
Tuesday 23 November, 2021
3 min read

Andrés Ortíz: Costa Rican star eyes Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 ahead of qualifier

As the qualifier to Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 approaches, Andrés Ortiz is hoping to lead the way for his country.
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Costa Rica, which is home to a growing rugby scene, will host the Sudamérica Rugby Sevens Costa Rica 2021 tournament between 27-28 November, 2021, where nine nations will compete for two places in Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022. The latter is to be played in Cape Town, South Africa, from 9-11 September, 2022.

Whilst the home team might find it hard against the more experienced likes of Chile, Brazil and Uruguay, they have been working tirelessly for months with the goal of showcasing the sport in the nation’s biggest sporting stadium, the Estadio Nacional.

“It is a very professional environment, with a lot of hard work behind us and a structure on hand to assist,” says Andrés Ortíz, the France-based centre that joined Los Ticos a couple of weeks ago ahead of the tournament, on the left in the photo.

A Costa Rican player making a career in French rugby is a story of dreams and pioneering that transcends borders. It is a story of opening doors for future players to shine in the country that will host Rugby World Cup 2023. One such player is Andrés Ortíz.

🔥¡Confirmado el fixture!🔥

💥¡¿Listos para el torneo?!💥#SAR7s #Purorugbypuravida #ElRugbyNosUne pic.twitter.com/KyQoyzInd1

— Costa Rica Sevens (@Costaricasevens) November 19, 2021

Having picked up the game at 21, eight long years ago, he fell in love with it instantly. So much so that in 2017, after shining at the Juegos Centroamericanos (a multi-discipline sporting event for the region), he travelled to France thanks to a French coach that he’d met when the coach was helping the national team.

“I arrived on 11 December, 2017,” he recalls. “I played my first season in Rabastens, a 40-minute drive from Toulouse and after winning the league, moved to my actual club, Saint Sulpice la Pointe, also close to Toulouse.”

When not training for the competitive Federale 2, the French fifth division, semi-professional Ortíz works for Airbus as part of the team that paints their A350 and A330s. He is hoping to jump a couple of divisions up in the next season, but at the moment, the goal at hand is back home, in San José, where it all started for Ortíz at Universitarios Club de Rugby.

“The goal for the Sudamérica Rugby Sevens Costa Rica 2021 tournament is to be the top Central American team. Sevens is a fun game so after that, who knows?”

“I found a team that works very hard, with a lot of discipline and the goal of planting Costa Rican rugby as high as it can. We have a blend of experienced players and some fresh faces. Unlike the old days, when you had to push players to go to national training sessions, today you have a very motivated squad of around 20, 25 players. Rugby in my country is evolving fast.”

Hosting an international sevens qualifier in San José is something that will certainly give the game exposure and profile.

“To further develop the game, we must work on making it bigger, and clubs and Federation are doing a great job. Having rugby in the Estadio Nacional is huge.”

The first modern sports and event arena in Central America, the Estadio Nacional can hold 35 thousand spectators, but at the moment, mainly due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, only 1,800 tickets will be sold. Ortíz hopes that when they sell out they will allow a bigger capacity.

For Ortíz, playing there is huge.

“Playing rugby at the Estadio Nacional will be an historic occasion – something that gives us huge pride and exposure. We are a soccer-mad country and that our sport can set foot in this stadium will be a turning point, showing the government that rugby can organise good events. It will open doors.” And opening doors is something Ortíz is keen on.

His team mate at Saint Sulpice, Byron Monge, is also back to join the national team for the Sudamérica Rugby Sevens Costa Rica 2021 tournament.

“I was asked if I saw myself as a trailblazer. Yes, because I don’t want to be the last Costa Rican to play overseas, but the first of many. I have learnt a lot and my rugby is so much better for the experience. I have a lot to share. Not all has been perfect, I’ve had my high and low points, but if I can help my fellow countrymen to give it a go, the benefit for rugby in Costa Rica will be huge.”

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Ireland reach their first ever men’s final as the women’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series comes to an end for 2022 with Australia worthy winners following an outstanding season. Argentina hold a two-point lead over South Africa in the men's Series standings

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series – Toulouse

Sun 22 May, 2022
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HSBC France Sevens 2022 Men's
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HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series – Toulouse

Big names fall on dramatic day of upsets at HSBC France Sevens in Toulouse

Argentina and Australia were knocked out in the men’s quarter-finals, while Series leaders South Africa and heavyweights New Zealand failed to even make the knockout stages. Australia and New Zealand’s women impressed, while Fiji reached the final four in both events.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series – Toulouse

Sat 21 May, 2022
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HSBC France Sevens 2022 Men's
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HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series - Toulouse

Men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series favourites suffer shock defeats on opening day in Toulouse as women’s champions Australia continue fine form

South Africa, Australia and Argentina were all beaten on the opening day of the HSBC France Sevens men’s event, while New Zealand and Australia caught the eye with some big wins in the women’s competition

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series - Toulouse

Fri 20 May, 2022
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Rikki Swannell becomes first females to commentate on men's series
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Feature

Behind the microphone: Groundbreaker Rikki Swannell

World Rugby talks to the New Zealander about becoming the first female lead commentator on the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and her life in sports broadcasting.

Feature

Fri 20 May, 2022
5 min read
Andy Vilk, head coach of Italy men's sevens
4 min read

RWC Sevens 2022 qualifying

Italy men’s sevens team seeks return to the big stage

The European men's qualification tournament for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 is on the horizon with the prize of four tickets to Cape Town, South Africa at stake in July.

RWC Sevens 2022 qualifying

Thu 19 May, 2022
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Fiji are in Toulouse to win: “There is still room for improvement,” says Gollings

Gold and silver medals in their last two HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series outings have Fiji feeling good ahead of French tournament

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Thu 19 May, 2022
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HSBC France Sevens 2022
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Rugby Sevens

Captains ready for lift off at HSBC France Sevens

Toulouse welcomes a full line-up of 16 men’s and 12 women’s teams for the first time in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series on 20-22 May

Rugby Sevens

Wed 18 May, 2022
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