Rugby Sevens team invited to pre-season overseas competition

Jamaica's Rugby Sevens team has been invited to participate in the World Rugby Sevens pre-season competition later this month in Manchester, England. Chairman of the Jamaica Rugby Football Union Jerry Benzwick says this competition will auger well in preparation for the Intercontinental playoffs for the Olympic Games next year. The Crocs will take on Ireland, France, the United States and Nigeria in the group stages of the tournament.

This tournament will be the first of possibly three high level competitions ahead of the repechage. The nation will also play in the Americas Championship which will include South American sides early next year. This will serve as qualification to the Hong Kong Sevens. Benzwick expects the nation to finish in the top eight to book qualification to Hong Kong.

The 12 team intercontinental playoffs will take place in June next year with only the winner booking a spot to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. After appearing at the Sevens World Cup, the CAC Games, the Pan Am Games and the Hong Kong Sevens, the Olympic Games is the only event that Jamaica is yet to qualify for.