This is the great explanation of the world elite of rugby 7s. The French women’s and men’s teams are playing from Friday to Sunday in Madrid, Spain, the final of the world circuit of the discipline. If both can nourish ambitions for coronation, the meeting will also allow them to benchmark themselves one last time against the competition in view of the Paris Olympic Games.
Antoine Dupont very present
Tired, but there. Less than a week after the very intense Champions Cup final won after extra time against Leinster, the Stade Toulouse scrum-half is, as agreed, among the group called by French coach Jérôme Daret for the occasion.
In the Spanish capital, Antoine Dupont will play his third tournament in the discipline, after those in Vancouver and Los Angeles, where the Blues won gold for the first time in 19 years this winter. But there is no question of overexposing it. “He had a big match,” said his coach. It is important to preserve its integrity. » The player could, as during his first Canadian experience, slowly gain strength during the weekend.
A new formula
Until now, the most consistent team of the season won the world circuit, like a tennis player at the top of the ATP rankings in cumulative points gleaned during a season. To provide more suspense, World Rugby has decided to implement a new formula in this Olympic year: for both men and women, everything will be played out over three days in Madrid.
For both sexes, the eight best-ranked selections after seven stages, or two-thirds of the field, will compete for the title in Madrid. Two groups of four, semi-finals with the first two in each group and a champion designated on Sunday evening. “It’s a one-shot, you have to play each match fully, as if it were your last. It speaks to us,” says Séraphine Okemba, vice-captain of the Bleues, third in the regular season behind New Zealand and Australia.
Sixth with the same number of points as Fiji, the French men’s team remained in three places in the last four before missing out in Singapore with an eighth place. “It’s thrilling and exciting, we have a unique chance to win the World Series for the first time,” says Jérôme Daret.
Certain selections are also playing their future in Madrid. A parallel tournament pits, for men and women, the four lowest ranked teams in the main circuit against the four best at the lower level. With four places at stake to join or stay in the elite next season.
The Blues’ opponents and schedule
French women’s team
France – Fiji, Friday May 31 at 1:28 p.m.
France – Ireland, Saturday June 1 at 12 p.m.
France – Australia, Saturday June 1 at 3:27 p.m.
Semi-final: Sunday June 2 at 11:33 a.m. or 11:57 a.m.
Final: Sunday June 2 at 7:49 p.m.
French men’s team
France – Australia, Friday May 31 at 7:05 p.m.
France – Argentina, Saturday June 1 at 5:51 p.m.
France – Great Britain, Saturday June 1 at 8:55 p.m.
Semi-final: Sunday June 2 at 12:21 p.m. or 12:45 p.m.
Final: Sunday June 2 at 8:26 p.m.
The matches are broadcast via the Rugbypass application and on France.tv
